Former VC advocates introduction of Agric Entrepreneurship as Degree programme

Agriculture Entrepreneur

Prof. Placid Njoku, Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, has advocated for the integration of Agriculture Entrepreneurship as a full degree programme in all universities of the country.


Njoku made the suggestion at the occasion of the 3rd Convocation ceremony of Landmark University, Omu-Aran in Kwara, while delivering a lecture.

He spoke on the topic: `Mainstreaming Agripreneurship and Food Security: New Frontiers for Africa’s Development Agenda’.

Njoku said incorporating entrepreneurship into agribusiness to produce Agripreneurship, would assist in attracting youth to agriculture as a course, business and vocation.

“More importantly, such development will in turn stem the menace of rural-urban migration in the country,” Njoku said.

He regretted that agriculture in most Africa nations was still characterised by the use of the traditional farm tools such as hoes and cutlasses.

According to him, agriculture contributes over 30 per cent of the GDP of these nations and remains the primary source of foreign exchange.

“This also includes over 80 per cent of the food needs, as well as raw materials for some local industries,” he said.

In his remarks at the occasion, Chancellor of Landmark University, Bishop David Oyedepo, said Agriculture could be a catalyst for the nation’s socio-economic development and major employer of labour, if properly harnessed.

He challenged government and individuals, to contribute their quota by providing solutions to the nation’s challenges of poverty, joblessness and unemployment.

In her speech, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Aize Obayan, said the institution was committed to raising a generation of great thinkers, solution providers and exemplary leaders.

“It is by this means that our students are groomed in the modern art of farming and business, regardless of their respective courses of study,” she said.

Also speaking, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, praised the institution’s management team for its steadfastness and dedication in the discharge of its civic responsibility.

Ibitoye pledged the support of the community to the institution’s agrarian drive and other initiatives geared towards improving the living standard of the people of the community and the country.

NAN reports that 532 students of the institution graduated, out of which about 51 bagged First Class