Senator Saliu Mustapha, Senator representing Kwara Central District has called on the Federal Government to make agricultural studies compulsory at the secondary school level, stating there is the need to move agriculture beyond mere rhetoric and policy pronouncements. The senator, who decried the attitude of Nigerian youths towards farming, declared that exposure to the modern, technology-driven aspects of agriculture such as mechanised farming, agribusiness, and sustainable practices, could spark renewed interest in the sector.
Mustapha, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development said this at a lecture organised by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin. In the lecture delivered on his behalf by Professor Binta Sulyman, Head of Department, Fine and Applied Arts, Kwara State University, Malete, the senator said that practical agricultural education from an early age would prepare future generations to see farming as a viable profession and not just a subsistence activity.
Mustapha said, “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.”
“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 that compulsory agricultural studies would help Nigeria address rising unemployment rates, as it would equip young people with skills to venture into farming, agribusiness, and related industries. He added that an agrarian-focused educational curriculum could produce a generation of problem-solvers who can contribute 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.
He urged stakeholders in education, agriculture, and policymaking to collaborate closely in ensuring the implementation of these ideas.
“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 agriculture education a reality,” he declared.
