The Managements of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, and Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment and operationalization of Centre of Excellence for Research and development of African Indigenous food in the University, and fostering collaboration between researchers, farmers and agribusinesses.

The event which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Conference Hall of the Council was led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Suleiman and the Executive Secretary of the Council, Professor Garba Hamidu Sharubutu.

Speaking before the brief ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Suleiman expressed delight that the memorandum will mark the commencement of research collaboration by the two respective institutions for the industrialization of indigenous foods for sustainable development and national food security.

He recalled that the proposal was conceived in view of multi-faceted and multidimensional challenges of hunger, poverty and violent conflicts confronting Africa and other third world countries as a result of worsening climate challenges and poverty.

The Vice Chancellor hinted that only coordinated research and development efforts could bring about sustainable development and reduce extreme poverty and hunger in Nigeria and beyond.

Professor Suleiman noted that the Centre, when alive, is expected to bring diversification of food sources for industrial scale-up of alternative proteins from underutilized crops and other agricultural and food wastes.

“On our part, we are confident of the expertise, dedication and commitment our reputable researchers, as much as we have confidence in your zeal and enthusiasm in supporting well planned research initiative from Nigerian researchers”, he added.

He commended the renewal hope of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the green economy of the Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, and paid tribute to his predecessor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu for the initial efforts and also a condolence to the late Professor Nuhu Obaje who was the Coordinating Director of Research and development before his demise.

Responding, the Executive Secretary, Professor Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, commended IBB University, Lapai for being the first to go into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council with a proper understanding and without intervention from any quarters.

He suggested that postgraduate students of Agriculture and other related courses should go into research on indigenous foods at the Centre in IBB University, Lapai.

Professor Sharubutu disclosed that next year’s budget from the Council will cover the University, to include collaborative seminars and conferences to be organized either by the University or the Council.

The Executive Secretary further observed that without research in learning, there cannot be progress, stressing that one of the mandates of the Council was collaboration with universities.

“We are extremely happy with the report of the technical committee that visited your campus. We received the report at our Management meeting and we are impress”, he disclosed.

Also speaking, the University’s Coordinating Director of Research and Development, Professor Alimi Folorunsho Lawal assured the Management of the Council of Professionalism during research activities at the Centre, pointing out that the collaboration was part of the University’s continuous efforts in research.

In a vote of thanks, the University Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki appreciated the Executive Secretary for the collaboration with the University and assured that there would be no any disappointment.

He said the University Management will continue to monitor the growth of the collaboration for it to succeed.

Highlight of the engagement included a walk round various research outputs by the University team as led by the Executive Secretary, as well as exchange of souvenirs.