National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Alimi Micheal, KWARA|
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has called on the Federal Government to make agricultural education compulsory in secondary schools across Nigeria.
Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin, the senator stressed the importance of hands-on agricultural studies to ensure that young Nigerians are better equipped to contribute to the nation’s food security.
“We need to take agriculture seriously if we are going to feed our growing population and reduce our dependence on food imports,” Mustapha said.
He emphasized that making agriculture a compulsory subject, with practical components, in secondary schools is essential.
The senator expressed concern about the declining interest in farming among Nigerian youth, noting that many still view it as hard, manual labor with little reward.
“Farming should no longer be seen as subsistence work. We need to show young people that agriculture, when done with modern technology, can be a lucrative career,” Mustapha said.
He highlighted examples from countries like Israel and India, where agricultural education is a cornerstone of their food production systems.
“Nigeria can learn from these countries by ensuring that every child not only learns the theory of farming but also engages in practical agricultural activities,” he added.
Mustapha also linked the introduction of compulsory agricultural studies to solving Nigeria’s rising unemployment crisis.
He argued that teaching students about agribusiness, mechanized farming, and sustainable practices would prepare them for careers in agriculture, helping to reduce the country’s food import bill.
“Beyond just feeding ourselves, agriculture should be seen as a business—a model that can create wealth for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
The senator urged educational policymakers, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other stakeholders to collaborate on making this vision a reality.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education in revising the school curriculum, he warned that action must follow policy.
“There has been enough discussion. Now is the time for implementation. Schools need to be equipped with farms, greenhouses, and modern tools so that students can engage in practical agricultural education,” Mustapha stated.
His remarks come at a time when Nigeria faces significant challenges in the agricultural sector, including an ageing farming population, limited access to modern farming technologies, and underutilized land.
Experts have warned that without major policy changes, Nigeria’s goal of achieving food security may remain out of reach.
