The Federal Government, on Friday, announced that the first National Agricultural Land Development Authority Institute of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship would begin operations in September this year.
It said the institute would be established in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, adding that the first institute would commence activities in Aba, Abia State in the next two months.
The Executive Secretary, NALDA, Paul Ikonne, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja, explained that the establishment of the institute was to support the growth and development of agribusiness in the country by transforming agriculture into a modern and appealing career path for the youth.
This, he said, is through a combination of practical training, specialised curriculum, cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial education in the field of agribusiness and agronomic practices.
“This will enable the country to attain food security and ensure a stable and sufficient food supply for the nation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda,” Ikonne stated.
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On the already established facility in Abia State, he said the campus is fully equipped with facilities needed to build a formidable agribusiness school.
According to him, the institute in Aba boasts a completed 600-capacity student sports complex, two administrative blocks, libraries and laboratories, and a clinic, among others.
Ikonne added, “We came up with NALDA Institute of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship that has the approval of Mr. President. And today, that school is taking off in September. We have students that are going to start in September. The one in Abia is fully ready and commencing the 2024/2025 academic session this September.
“The one in Ogun is 99 per cent to completion and they will commence academic session by next year. The institute in Katsina is 89 per cent complete. So, these are projects that we initiated with the idea and knowledge that if we don’t catch them young into agriculture, agricultural production and agribusiness, we will lose farmers as the current generation of farmers is ageing and retiring.
“This is why we came up with the NALDA Institute of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship from primary to secondary to OND level.”
