The President/ founder of Atiba University Oyo (AUO), Dr. James Ojebode, has called on the government to place greater emphasis on agriculture, stressing its pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic development and food security.
Ojebode highlighted the importance of training the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals to ensure the country’s sustainable growth in these critical sectors.
Speaking at the university’s inaugural Founder’s Public Lecture, which was held at the institution’s auditorium in Oyo town, Dr. Ojebode noted that agriculture remains an integral sector of the Nigerian economy.
He emphasized that the future of the nation depends on how well it prepares its youth for careers in agriculture, from farming to agribusiness management and beyond.
The lecture was attended by stakeholders including Professor Toyin Falola from the University of Texas, Austin, and the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Salihu Adelabu.
Dr. Ojebode made it clear that for Nigeria to achieve true food security and economic advancement, it must invest in the training of agricultural professionals who can innovate and sustain the country’s farming practices.
In response to the country’s pressing developmental challenges, Ojebode revealed that the university had introduced tuition-free programs in agriculture to help address the gap in agricultural knowledge and training.
This initiative he said, is aimed at building a new generation of professionals who can drive the country towards self-sufficiency in food production and contribute to economic prosperity.
