The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated a five-member evaluation committee to commence the selection process for ten universities that will benefit from its 2025 mechanised commercial farming and livestock operations initiative.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, said the selected institutions must either be designated universities of agriculture or possess a well-established Faculty of Agriculture.
In addition, the universities must have at least 50 hectares of unencumbered land and run an existing commercial farm with at least one agricultural value chain.
“Most of the institutions have submitted their Expressions of Interest, and it became necessary to constitute this committee to ensure objectivity and transparency in the selection process,” Masari stated.
He explained that the selection is the first phase of the programme under TETFund’s 2025 Intervention initiative, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and innovation across Nigeria’s higher institutions.
“Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s socio-economic development, offering not just food security but also opportunities for poverty reduction, employment creation, and national prosperity,” he noted.
Masari emphasized the transformative potential of modern agricultural technologies—including automation, precision farming, and data analytics—saying these innovations have revolutionized agriculture in developed countries and could do the same for Nigeria if effectively applied.
Commending the newly constituted committee, Masari praised the members for their patriotism and quick response to the call of duty.
“Their presence here today on short notice reflects their dedication to national development.
“Agriculture provides food security, generates income, and contributes to economic growth, especially in developing countries like ours. By promoting agricultural development, we are also promoting inclusive growth and reducing the urban-rural divide,” he said.
The TETFund chairman further highlighted that agriculture was Nigeria’s main economic pillar before the oil boom and still contributes significantly to the country’s GDP.
He added that strengthening the sector through research, education, and innovation would not only boost farmer incomes but also reduce dependence on imported food and enhance national wealth.
He revealed that eight of TETFund’s 27 Centres of Excellence are focused on agriculture, and that the agency is funding Agricultural Research Laboratories and Demonstration Farms in six universities to promote technology-driven improvements in crop and livestock production.
The newly inaugurated Evaluation Committee is chaired by Mr. Ewara E. Bassey, Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Other members include representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Livestock Development, National Universities Commission (NUC), Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and TETFund’s Research & Development/Centres of Excellence Department, which also serves as the committee’s secretariat.
Masari outlined the committee’s responsibilities, which include reviewing institutional submissions, creating evaluation templates, scoring candidates, and recommending qualified institutions from each geopolitical zone.
“The constitution and composition of this committee underscore the importance we place on this project. You are expected to work as a team and deliver professionally,” he said, assigning the committee a two-week deadline to complete and submit its report.
“With great confidence in your expertise and experience, I hereby inaugurate this Evaluation Committee on Agricultural Commercial Farms, this day, Monday, 7th July, 2025,” Masari declared.
In his response, Committee Chairman Mr. Bassey expressed gratitude to TETFund for the opportunity, describing the assignment as a “call to national duty.”
He added, “We are confident in the capacity and competence of the members selected for this task, and we pledge to deliver on our mandate while making recommendations that will ensure the success and impact of this initiative.”
