An agricultural expert and lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr. Philips Nto, has called on the government at all levels to use agricultural research findings to help improve food security in Nigeria.
Dr. Nto, who is also the Director of the Agribusiness Incubation Centre at the university, said it was unfortunate that many useful research results from universities and research institutes are being ignored and left unused in libraries.
He made this statement when his old classmates from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, came to visit him.
According to him, there are many research works in different institutions across Nigeria that can help boost food production, but the government and private sector are not using them.
He said he hoped the government would not only start using these research results but also appreciate and celebrate the researchers, as is done in more developed countries.
“I believe we should honour the researchers whose work helps the nation grow. It bothers me when government officials only gather to open roads instead of recognizing important research achievements,” he said.
He added that countries like the USA, China, and those in Europe focus on celebrating major breakthroughs in agriculture, rather than just building roads.
Dr. Nto said that in Nigeria, unfortunately, many researchers and their work are ignored and left in university archives, only used to help staff get promotions.
He also criticized the lack of connection between government and research agencies, saying that the government does not support or encourage researchers.
He explained that most research results in Nigeria are not being used to improve society, and many improved types of crops and animals developed through research are just being stored away.
Dr. Nto advised his visitors—who were lecturers, researchers, and scientists—to help spread the message and encourage the government to use agricultural research findings. He also thanked them for visiting the Agribusiness Incubation Centre to see the work his team is doing.
Dr. Nto, who was also once the Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, told them that the centre is helping local farmers learn better and modern ways to increase their farm yields.
Earlier, the leader of the visiting group, Dr. Charles Osita from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, praised Dr. Nto for his hard work and dedication to improving food security through the centre.
He said he was happy that Dr. Nto was using the centre to transform agriculture in the region and called him a proud representative of their alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
