FG Begins Review of Agricultural Curricula to Bridge Skills Gap

FG Begins Review of Agricultural Curricula to Bridge Skills Gap
Bugaje said many agricultural programmes have remained unchanged for over 15 years
Clarified that university-level agricultural programmes under the National Universities Commission would not be included for now, as they follow a separate five-year review cycle

The Federal Government has begun a comprehensive review of agricultural curricula in polytechnics and colleges of education in a bid to close widening skills gaps and make the sector more attractive to young Nigerians.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the Chairman of the review committee and Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Idris Bugaje, disclosed this during a two-day national workshop held in Abuja.

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Bugaje said many agricultural programmes have remained unchanged for over 15 years, making them outdated and poorly aligned with current industry demands.

According to him, the exercise will cover all 33 National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) agricultural programmes, as well as more than 32 national occupational standards.

He noted that previous funding for curriculum reviews had been insufficient, with about ₦50 million annually allocated to review over 320 curricula nationwide.

“The task before this committee is critical. Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economy, yet student interest is declining because the programmes are no longer relevant to present realities,” he said.

He added that the new approach would prioritise practical, industry-driven training and strengthen private sector involvement to ensure graduates acquire relevant, modern skills.

Bugaje explained that four thematic groups covering crops and agronomy, livestock, fisheries, and forestry would drive the review process and develop implementation timelines.

He clarified that university-level agricultural programmes under the National Universities Commission would not be included for now, as they follow a separate five-year review cycle.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Angela Ajala, stressed the need to shift agricultural education from theory to hands-on practice.

She said the country faces a shortage of trained extension officers and technical experts, making curriculum reform urgent.

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“If Nigeria must secure its agricultural future, training must move beyond theory to practical competence,” she said.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Abubakar Dabban, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting the reform with technical expertise.

He noted that the council oversees 19 research institutes and 17 federal colleges of agriculture, positioning it to strengthen training and research linkages.

An international expert, Pascal Durand-Carrier, said ongoing skills-gap surveys would guide the review and help align training with labour market demands.

Participants at the workshop expressed optimism that the reforms would produce modern, market-driven curricula capable of attracting more young Nigerians to agriculture and improving national food security.