Minister pushes 80% practical training in agric curricula to boost food security, youth employment
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has unveiled 39 reviewed and newly developed agricultural curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards (NOS), alongside an 80:20 practical-to-theoretical training reform, to strengthen food security and expand youth employment.
Speaking at the launch at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Abuja, Alausa described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital development, designed to bridge the gap between education and industry.
He said unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential requires a skilled workforce capable of deploying modern technologies, improving production and building sustainable agribusinesses, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister disclosed that the reform began in 2025 through collaboration among the Federal Ministries of Education, Agriculture and Food Security, and Livestock Development, alongside regulatory agencies, educational institutions, curriculum experts and industry stakeholders.
The exercise produced 39 curricula, comprising 32 reviewed and seven newly developed programmes, as well as 31 NOS. They cover National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and corresponding Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) agricultural programmes, the latter developed with the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
A key feature of the reform is the 80:20 practical-to-theoretical training ratio, which prioritises hands-on learning through teaching farms, greenhouses, processing facilities and agricultural technology hubs. The curricula also incorporate emerging fields such as Precision Agriculture, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Artificial Insemination and Agribusiness.
Alausa said success would be measured by graduates’ practical competence, improved agricultural output, increased employment and tangible contributions to national food security.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, commended the initiative as a major step towards practical, industry-driven agricultural education. He praised President Tinubu’s focus on agriculture and livestock development and acknowledged the roles of the Ministers of Education and Agriculture and the technical team.
Citing the Middle East red meat market, valued at about $3.2 billion, Maiha said Nigeria’s capacity to compete remained constrained by an inadequately organised sector and a shortage of hands-on expertise.
He urged institutions to provide functional farms, promote digital and climate-smart practices, and expand access to skills, technology, finance and markets. Practical training facilities, he stressed, should be central to institutional accreditation.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the unveiling as a milestone in repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), strengthening teacher preparation and aligning education with labour-market demands. She said competency-based instruction and clearly defined occupational standards would improve training quality and graduate employability.
Ahmad called on regulators, institutions and industry partners to support implementation through qualified instructors, adequate equipment, functional workshops and continuous professional development. She also advocated stronger partnerships for apprenticeships, industrial attachments and workplace learning, with equitable opportunities for women, persons with disabilities and young people from underserved communities.
Alausa pledged sustained collaboration with ministries, regulators, institutions and industry partners to ensure the reforms translate into measurable gains in agricultural skills, productivity and employment. He said the ultimate goal is a skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial workforce capable of transforming the agricultural sector and creating jobs.