ABUAD Vice-Chancellor Calls for Concerted Efforts to Enhance Food Sufficiency in Nigeria

The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, has called for intensified and collaborative efforts to achieve food sufficiency and security in Nigeria.

Prof. Olarinde gave the charge on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, while delivering her address at ABUAD’s Inaugural Meeting of the Institute of Agricultural Value Chain Development and Food Security (IAVCDFS).

She commended the vision and investments of the University’s Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, in research, innovation, and community development, particularly in the agricultural sector which has remained a cornerstone of his legacy.

“Agriculture has always been the first love of our Founder, Funder, and Chancellor, who, despite his advanced age, still visits his farm daily,” the Vice-Chancellor noted, describing it as a rare demonstration of passion and commitment.

Prof. Olarinde also applauded the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Ayodele Ajayi, describing him as a worthy ambassador of ABUAD. She emphasized that the new Institute will serve as a platform to nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers who will recognize opportunities rather than limitations; transforming Nigeria from subsistence farming into a thriving hub of agribusiness and agro-industrial development.

“We envision ABUAD as a centre of excellence in the agricultural value chain a place where knowledge is not confined to textbooks but is actively applied in the fields, factories, and markets of Nigeria and Africa,” she affirmed.

Delivering his keynote address themed “Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains for Food Security and Sustainable Development”, Prof. Ajayi lauded Aare Babalola’s unparalleled contributions to agriculture, describing him as a selfless leader and pride of the South-West. He recalled how ABUAD’s agricultural products have already carved a niche in the marketplace in many place states in the country.

“I was at a major shopping mall in Akure, Ondo State, and among the many products on display, ABUAD Rice, Garri, Fufu, and Ogi stood out prominently. They were the only goods I could identify as being produced in this region, while most others were either imported or sourced from Northern Nigeria,” he recounted.

According to him, the establishment of the Institute under the Bogoro Research Centre represents another bold step towards transforming agriculture into a value-driven enterprise that can serve as a pillar for national economic growth.

“This Institute is about moving agriculture from a fragile, rickety stage to becoming a dependable pillar of national development. It offers a unique opportunity to change the narrative of agriculture in Nigeria through a robust value chain approach,” he declared.

The Provost of the College of Sciences, Prof. Pius Okiki, and the Director of ABUAD Hydrogen Institute and International Collaboration & Linkages, Prof. Adeniran Afolalu, in their goodwill messages, pledged to give the Institute the needed support. They described the IAVCDFS as “a project whose time has come,” expressing hope that it will flourish and provide sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s food production and security challenges.

Highlight of the meeting was the session anchored by Prof. Bamigboye Funmilayo, a seasoned Professor of Animal Science and the Director of the Institute. She steered the interactive segment, engaging responses from partners both onsite and those connected virtually, underscoring the collaborative spirit that the Institute seeks to foster.