WOFAN honours veteran academics, promotes SIBLING Project for practical agricultural education

The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has organised a special event to honour veteran academics and development practitioners, while also advocating reforms in agricultural education to make it more practical and industry-driven.

Speaking at the event on Saturday in Kano, WOFAN Founder and Group Executive Board Chair, Dr Salamatu Garba, said the program was organised to recognise  its stakeholders, Agric sector lecturers and professionals who have devoted long years of service to education and national development.

She said the gathering also provided an opportunity to reflect on leadership transition and to prepare younger academics to assume future leadership roles.

Dr Garba expressed concern over the largely theoretical nature of agricultural education in Nigerian universities, stressing the need for hands-on training. According to her, agriculture graduates should leave school with practical skills in mechanisation, agribusiness, climate-smart farming and private extension services.

She disclosed that WOFAN is partnering with universities and institutions, including Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), to integrate students into practical initiatives such as the Sibling Project.

Dr Garba explained that the program is designed to translate academic research into community impact, promote food security and prepare young people to become agri-preneurs and job creators.

Read Also: WOFAN partners BUK to train students, empower women in agribusiness skills

“The Sibling Project, a key initiative, aims to connect academic research directly with the agricultural community, facilitating knowledge transfer and the implementation of sustainable farming practices. The project is expected to bridge the gap between academic theories and real-world agricultural challenges, thereby promoting food security and economic empowerment,” she said.

She added that WOFAN’s commitment to strengthening agricultural education through partnerships with institutions like Bayero University reflects a broader vision of fostering leadership and innovation in the sector. According to her, recognising veteran academics is not only a way of honouring their contributions but also of inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Technical Board of Advisors for the WOFAN ICON 2 Project, Professor Sani Miko, said the organisation is strengthening partnerships to deepen its impact.

He described Bayero University as a key partner, noting that WOFAN deliberately chose to appreciate outgoing officials who played vital roles in sustaining institutional collaboration, while formally welcoming incoming leaders.

Professor Miko commended the outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Muhammad Auwal Hussain; the incoming Dean, Professor Aminu Sulaiman; the former Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Jibril Muhammad Jibril; and the current Director, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, for their dedication and invaluable contributions.

He emphasised that recognising excellence is essential for strengthening trust and ensuring continuity in partnerships.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, commended WOFAN for the initiative, describing it as noble and inspirational.

Read Also: WOFAN celebrates rural women, promotes modern farming as key to self-reliance, food security

He said such acts of recognition are often overlooked in academic institutions and should be institutionalised. Professor Tsauni further emphasised the critical role recognition plays in fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.

According to him, acknowledging the efforts of dedicated individuals not only motivates others but also strengthens the bond between universities and organisations like WOFAN, which are committed to advancing the agricultural sector.

He urged newly appointed officers to build on the achievements of their predecessors.

“By continuing to cultivate partnerships and focusing on practical agricultural education, we can ensure that our graduates are not only well-equipped with theoretical knowledge but also possess the skills required to thrive in real-world agricultural settings,” he said.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between WOFAN and Bayero University would transform agricultural education in Nigeria to better serve industry and community needs.

He reaffirmed the university’s support for initiatives that promote food security, innovation and sustainable agricultural development.

He also encouraged stakeholders to take proactive steps toward improving agricultural practices by leveraging academic expertise and strengthening connections with farmers and industry players.

In his remarks, the former Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Professor Jibril Muhammad Jibril, expressed deep appreciation to WOFAN for the honour, noting that he would never forget the organisation’s contribution to his professional growth.

Professor Jibril stressed the importance of practical agricultural education in addressing Nigeria’s agricultural challenges and called for a curriculum overhaul that prioritises experiential learning and alignment with industry needs.

He also recalled a training programme in the United Kingdom sponsored by WOFAN, describing it as one of the best training experiences of his lifetime and a significant milestone in his career.

Similarly, the Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Sani Mohammed Gaya, described the event as timely and thoughtful, noting that it marked a smooth leadership transition.

Read Also: CDA trains Kano farmers on agroecology

He identified WOFAN as the Centre’s most important local NGO partner and highlighted long-standing collaborations in seed production, farmer training and innovation.

Professor Gaya also confirmed that the Sibling Project, which aligns student engagement with the university’s Staff Wives Association, has received the Vice-Chancellor’s approval and is set to commence soon.

The outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Muhammad Auwal Hussain, said the partnership between WOFAN and the university has been highly beneficial, particularly in exposing students to real-world agricultural practices. He noted that WOFAN’s decades of grassroots experience would significantly enhance students’ practical capacity and career readiness.

On his part, the incoming Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Aminu Sulaiman, commended WOFAN for its consistent support over the years.

He paid tribute to the outgoing Dean for his exemplary leadership and pledged to build on the achievements recorded during his tenure.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Climate Change, Kano Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Mal Umar Saleh Anka, said the Kano State Government is strengthening its climate change policy with a strong focus on agriculture, given the sector’s vulnerability to changing weather patterns.

He said the state is promoting climate-smart farming practices, tree planting to combat desertification, improved land management and support for farmers to adapt to drought and flooding. According to him, these efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting agricultural livelihoods and building a more climate-resilient food system.

SolaceBase reports that the event featured discussions among government officials, academic leaders and representatives of agricultural organisations on the need for innovative approaches to agricultural education.

The discussions highlighted the importance of practical training and industry partnerships in developing a new generation of skilled professionals.

As the event concluded, participants expressed a shared commitment to advancing agricultural practices in Nigeria and ensuring that education evolves to meet industry needs. The collaboration between WOFAN and academic institutions was described as a proactive step toward addressing agricultural challenges and improving farmers’ livelihoods nationwide.