By Adeola Kunle
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition agriculture as a skills-driven sector through the development of national occupational standards and practical-focused training for Nigerian youths.
Dr. Alausa stated this on Thursday when he received the report of the National Implementation Committee on the Review and Development of Agricultural Curricula for Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.
The Minister commended members of the committee for their dedication and extensive work, describing the move to 80 per cent practical training as an important milestone in equipping Nigerian youths with relevant skills and supporting the economic objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the presentation of the report, Dr. Alausa explained that the revised training model marks a major shift from the previous structure of 70 per cent theoretical instruction and 30 per cent practical training.
Under the new arrangement, students will receive 80 per cent practical training and 20 per cent theoretical instruction, a structure he said would give learners the hands-on experience required to participate meaningfully and effectively in the agricultural sector.
The Minister expressed confidence that the new approach would produce a more competent workforce, strengthen agricultural capacity and turn education and training into productive activities capable of contributing to national development.
He stressed that the central goal was to ensure that young Nigerians leave educational institutions with practical skills that could be applied in real-life situations and beyond the classroom.
Dr. Alausa also called for a comprehensive implementation of the revised curricula, emphasising the need to properly sensitise industry operators, academics, teachers and other relevant stakeholders about the objectives and importance of the reforms.
He further highlighted the need for adequate training of teachers and provision of the necessary support and resources to enable institutions to implement the new curricula successfully.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, commended the committee for its commitment to the assignment.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the National Board for Technical Education, the Skills Council, industry representatives and academics, noting that their collaboration strengthened the review process and contributed significantly to the development of the new curricula.
Professor Ahmad expressed optimism that the revised curricula would produce measurable improvements in the agricultural sector.
She stressed the importance of engaging stakeholders and the general public on the reforms, particularly the increased emphasis on practical training, to ensure greater understanding, acceptance and effective implementation.
Presenting the report on behalf of the committee, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, disclosed that the exercise resulted in the development and review of 36 National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula, three National Certificate in Education (NCE) curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards.
According to him, 27 of the National Occupational Standards were developed from the ground up, while four existing standards were reviewed, thereby considerably expanding the framework for skills development in the agricultural sector.
Professor Bugaje explained that the assignment had been completed and that the resulting documents had been considered and approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Board and Commission.
He added that the full set of curricula would be formally unveiled at a subsequent public event, describing the outcome of the exercise as a significant development in the drive to strengthen agricultural skills training in Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa assured that the Federal Ministry of Education would collaborate with the NBTE, educational institutions, industry stakeholders and other relevant partners to ensure that the reviewed curricula are effectively implemented.
He reiterated that the Ministry's priority would remain the development of practical skills among young Nigerians, strengthening the agricultural sector and converting Nigeria's vast agricultural potential into productive opportunities, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Adeola Kunle
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