Twenty-five final-year students from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Abuja have received research grants under the Nigeria Food Security Scholars Programme, in what the faculty described as a first-of-its-kind initiative at the institution.
The students were awarded project-based grants totalling N3.211 million, alongside certificates of participation, to support research across areas including food security, agricultural supply chains, climate resilience, post-harvest loss reduction and sustainable food systems.
The grant presentation ceremony was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, faculty members and other key stakeholders.
The Director of the Nigerian Food Security Project, Ajibola Oladiipo, said the initiative was designed to ensure that academic research directly addresses real food security challenges facing Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Akeem Oyerinde, described the programme as a major milestone for the institution and said the 25 students were carefully selected based on academic merit and research potential.
“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 said.
The selected students have been grouped into thematic research clusters and are already conducting studies expected to produce practical insights for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Under the programme, they will work under the supervision of faculty mentors and benefit from quarterly coaching and review sessions organised by the Supply Chain Research and Innovation Hub (SCRIH).
The Nigerian Food Security Project is an initiative of SCRIH focused on advancing agricultural research, innovation and human capital development through partnerships with tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
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