The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has submitted a proposal to the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions for amendments on the Bill establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State.
The council’s position, presented at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday, advocated the importance of aligning the new institution’s governance with the successful models of existing agricultural universities.
The ARCN, led by its Executive-Secretary, Prof. Garba Sharubutu, though, expressed support for the Bill but identified critical areas for reviews.
One major concern is the bill’s current designation of the Minister of Education as the university’s supervisory authority.
The ARCN proposes that, consistent with the law governing other federal universities of agriculture, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security should oversee the institution.
The council also outlined administrative challenges faced by existing universities due to similar oversight issues.
The council further urged the Senate committee to ensure that the new university operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as it would help prevent the functional and administrative issues previously encountered by other institutions.
In addendum to supervisory oversight, the ARCN called for the inclusion of a representative from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on the university’s governing council.
The council also recommended changes to the appointment process for the pro-chancellor and suggested that the selected individual should possess relevant expertise in agricultural and development studies.
Other revisions being sought by the ARCN include modifications to the university’s nomenclature. While recognising that Nigeria is within the tropics, the council recommended removing the specific reference to “tropical studies” from the university’s title, with argument that it may not be necessary.
The ARCN also pointed out that the composition of the Finance and General Purpose Committee should include a representative from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure the alignment of the university’s financial and strategic management with agricultural policies.
According to Prof. Sharubutu, the adjustments would enhance the university’s focus on agricultural training and research and ensure that it fulfills its mandate to advance modern agricultural practices and contribute to national food security.
He said, “Section 6: Establishment and composition of the Council, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) should be on the Council.
“We would like to advise that a clause be added to the qualification of the Pro-Chancellor to ensure the appointment of a suitable person with fair knowledge of the subject matter of the mandate of the University.
“Section 26(1) of the bill should be corrected to read that the ‘Minister’ means the Minister charged with the responsibility for Agriculture, instead of Education.
“This is in line with the provision in the law establishing the Universities of Agriculture.”
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Bill, which was sponsored by the leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State, was expeditiously considered by the Senate.
At the public hearing, both Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Simon Lalong, including other stakeholders, expressed belief that the establishment of the university will advance new frontiers in agricultural learning and research.
