Ahmadu Bello University Partners with University of West of Scotland to Drive Agricultural Advancements in Africa

Confirmation of Collaboration

The Director of the Public Affairs Directorate at ABU, Malam Auwal Umar, released a statement in Zaria, confirming the collaboration between ABU and the University of West of Scotland. This partnership was initiated by Prof. Kabiru Bala, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, who played a key role in establishing the connection between the two institutions.

Meeting at the University of West of Scotland

Prof. Kabiru Bala represented ABU during a meeting held at the University of West of Scotland in the United Kingdom. This meeting focused on fostering collaboration and partnership between the universities. The African Forum in Scotland facilitated the discussions, with the involvement of Dr Festus Ogunmola, the Director of the Centre for Policy Research and Development in Glasgow.

Agricultural capacity building and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lie at the core of the ABU-University of West Scotland partnership. The objective is to introduce new skills and leverage the latest academic insights to drive advancements in the agricultural sector. This initiative targets not only Nigeria but also Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

Collaborative Degree Program and Academic Visits

To materialize their shared goals, Ahmadu Bello University and the University of West Scotland are developing plans for a collaborative degree program. This endeavor gained momentum during a visit by Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice-Chancellor of ABU, and Prof. Abdullahi Mahadi, Director of the Division of Agriculture Colleges, to the Royal School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

During the visit, Prof. Bala engaged in a joint meeting with key figures, including Prof. Geoff Simm, Director of the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, Prof. Karyn Smyth, Director of the Center for Supporting Evidence-Based Interventions in Livestock, and Dr Oluyinka Opoola from the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health. Dr Usman Ibrahim and Dr Emmanuel Opoola from the Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, were also part of the delegation.

The plan to enhance agricultural capacity is intricately connected to Nigeria's overall economic growth and development. The agricultural sector plays a vital role in contributing to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By investing in knowledge transfer, skill development, and empowering SMEs, this collaboration seeks to stimulate economic progress while addressing food security challenges.