The Federal Government has introduced a new practical-focused model for agricultural education in Nigeria, directing tertiary institutions to adopt an 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theoretical training structure.

The reform is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with hands-on skills that can enable them to participate more effectively in the agricultural sector and pursue economic opportunities beyond the classroom.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the new approach on Thursday while receiving the report of the National Implementation Committee on the Review and Development of Agricultural Curricula for Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.

Alausa said the new structure marks a departure from the previous 70 per cent theoretical and 30 per cent practical model, with the government seeking to produce graduates equipped with practical capabilities applicable to real-world agricultural activities.

According to the minister, the curriculum reform is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s objective of developing agriculture into a skills-driven sector capable of creating economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

“The shift to 80 per cent practical training is a major step towards equipping Nigerian youths with relevant skills and advancing the economic objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Alausa said.

The minister expressed confidence that the revised curricula would help develop a better-trained agricultural workforce, strengthen technical capacity and enable graduates to convert their training into productive economic activities.

He also called for the comprehensive implementation of the revised curricula across tertiary institutions. The Ministry of Education, he said, should work with industry players, academics, teachers and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the objectives of the reforms are properly understood and implemented.

Alausa further stressed the importance of adequate teacher training and institutional support, noting that both would be required for institutions to effectively deliver the practical elements of the new programmes.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, commended members of the committee for their work on reviewing the agricultural curricula.

Ahmad recognised the contributions of the National Board for Technical Education, Skills Council, industry representatives and academics, saying their collaboration had strengthened the curriculum development process.

She expressed confidence that the revised curricula would deliver measurable improvements in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and called on stakeholders to support the stronger emphasis on practical training.

Presenting the committee’s report, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, disclosed that the review resulted in 36 new and reviewed National Diploma and Higher National Diploma curricula.

The exercise also produced three National Certificate in Education curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards.

The reform is expected to expose agricultural students to more practical skills, industry requirements and real-world agricultural activities, potentially improving their preparedness for employment and entrepreneurship after graduation.

For Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the shift is also expected to address the disconnect between classroom-based learning and the technical capabilities required to operate modern agricultural businesses, machinery and production systems.

Source: MSME Africa Online