The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has advocated for the introduction of compulsory, hands-on agricultural studies at the secondary school level.
The senator made the appeal during a public lecture organised by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin on Thursday.
In a keynote delivered by Prof. Binta Sulyman of Kwara State University, Malete, Senator Mustapha stressed the need for practical agricultural education from an early age to shift farming from being viewed as mere subsistence to a viable profession.
“We need to get serious about agriculture if we are to feed our growing population and reduce our over-reliance on imports.
“Making agriculture a compulsory and practical subject in secondary schools is a critical step in that direction”, he said.
Mustapha expressed concern over the declining interest in agriculture among young Nigerians, attributing it to outdated perceptions of farming as labour-intensive and unrewarding.
He argued that exposing students to modern, technology-driven agriculture—such as mechanized farming, agribusiness, and sustainable practices—could reignite interest in the sector.
“Countries like Israel and India have demonstrated how a strong emphasis on agricultural education can turn around their food production capabilities. Nigeria must follow suit by ensuring that every child learns not only the theory of farming but the practical aspects as well”, he said.
He also emphasised that compulsory agricultural studies could help address rising unemployment, equipping young people with skills to venture into farming, agribusiness, and related industries. An agrarian-focused curriculum, he argued, would produce problem-solvers capable of contributing 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.
The senator urged stakeholders in education, agriculture, and policymaking to collaborate in ensuring the implementation of these ideas.
He praised the Federal Ministry of Education for its efforts to revise the curriculum but cautioned that policy must be translated into action.
“There has been enough talk. What we need now are concrete actions, and that includes making sure that schools are equipped with the necessary facilities—farms, greenhouses, and modern farming tools—to make this hands-on agricultural education a reality”, he concluded.
The call comes at a time when Nigeria faces multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, including an ageing farming population, poor access to modern farming technologies, and underutilized arable land.
Experts warn that without significant policy shifts, the country’s goal of achieving food security may remain unattainable.
