Abuja agriculture students receive food security grants

Twenty-five final-year students of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, have received research grants under the Nigeria Food Security Scholars Programme, an initiative of the Nigerian Food Security Project designed to promote research-driven solutions to Nigeria’s food security challenges.

The beneficiaries were awarded project-based grants totalling N3.211m, alongside certificates of participation, to support research in areas including food security, agricultural supply chains, climate resilience, post-harvest loss reduction, sustainable food systems, and other related fields.

This was contained in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday. According to the statement, the scholarship presentation ceremony was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, faculty members, and other stakeholders within the faculty.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the Nigerian Food Security Project, Ajibola Oladiipo, said the initiative was designed to ensure that research conducted in higher institutions directly contributes to addressing food security challenges.

“We strongly believe in the value of research and want to ensure that research emerging from academic institutions is grounded in the realities of food security challenges.

Our goal is to encourage students to align their projects with practical solutions that can contribute to addressing food security issues. We are committed to funding and scaling solutions that are commercially viable,” he said.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Akeem Oyerinde, said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to tackle food insecurity through research and innovation.

“The primary goal of the initiative is to address food insecurity in Nigeria through research. We were asked to select 25 outstanding students who would receive support to research food security issues, including women and youth participation in agriculture and post-harvest loss reduction,” he said.

According to him, the students have been grouped into thematic research clusters and are already conducting studies expected to generate practical insights for the agricultural sector.

“This is the first time that this has happened in the university. The support is highly impactful on both the students and the institution. Our goal is to produce agricultural professionals who can drive innovation and contribute to solving food insecurity challenges,” he added.

Under the programme, the students will carry out their research projects under the guidance of faculty supervisors and will also benefit from quarterly coaching and review sessions organised by the Supply Chain Research and Innovation Hub.

The Nigerian Food Security Project is an initiative of the SCRIH focused on advancing agricultural research, innovation, and human capital development. Through partnerships with tertiary institutions and other stakeholders, the project seeks to support practical solutions that strengthen food security, improve agricultural productivity, and reduce post-harvest losses across Nigeria.