Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha has called for the introduction of compulsory hands-on agricultural studies at the secondary school level.
Senator Mustapha made the call at a public lecture organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin on Thursday.
Represented by Professor Binta Sulyman of the Kwara State University, Malete, Senator Mustapha who is the Turaki of Ilorin, emphasized the need to move agriculture beyond mere rhetoric and policy pronouncements
He argued that practical agricultural education from an early age would prepare future generations to see farming as a viable profession and not just a subsistence activity.
“We need to get serious about agriculture if we are to feed our growing population and reduce our over-reliance on imports,” he said. “Making agriculture a compulsory and practical subject in secondary schools is a critical step in that direction.”
He lamented the declining interest in agriculture among young Nigerians, attributing it to an outdated perception of farming as labour-intensive and unrewarding.
The lawmaker pointed out that if students were exposed to the modern, technology-driven aspects of agriculture such as mechanized farming, agribusiness, and sustainable practices it could spark renewed interest in the sector.
The Senator also stressed that compulsory agricultural studies would help Nigeria address rising unemployment rates, as it would equip young people with skills to venture into farming, agribusiness, and related industries.
He added that an agrarian-focused educational curriculum could produce a generation of problem-solvers who can contribute meaningfully to reducing the nation’s food import bill.
“Beyond feeding ourselves, we must see agriculture as a business. Agriculture should not just be about producing food for the table, but it should be viewed as a business model that can generate wealth for millions of Nigerians,” he added.
Senator Mustapha called on stakeholders in education, agriculture, and policymaking to collaborate closely in ensuring the implementation of these ideas.
He lauded the Federal Ministry of Education for its curriculum revision efforts, describing it as a step in the right direction but cautioned that policy must translate into real-world action.
