Universities Offering Agricultural Extension In Nigeria – Agricultural science is a prominent program in Nigerian universities. As agriculture is very crucial to the development of a nation, the reason many countries are investing in developing or advancing the agricultural sector of the country.
In 2016, the African Development Bank provided around $ 9 million in equity investment funds in Nigeria, to support the development and improvements of the agricultural sector.
While between 2015 and 2020 the federal government of Nigeria has budgeted over half a trillion naira for the agriculture sector with a 22 per cent yearly budget, 2018 has marked the highest with 22.3 per cent.
However, the security of food is still shaking as the country still lacks. The reason every means to improve the agricultural sector is very important.
As you plan to take any program in Agriculture, you should understand that the program is important as any other program, in fact, all agricultural students are a plus to the development and stability of the nation. Food is the fuel for the next activity to be carried out.
Because of this, you need the best place to study so you can come out well and be able to practice what you have chosen to study.
Agricultural extension is a sub-field in the study of agriculture. Many schools in Nigeria offer the course. With our list, you should be able to select from.
What is Agricultural Extension?
Agricultural practices have to be advanced as the demand for farm produce is way beyond what one can practically comprehend.
Agricultural extension is the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmers’ education.
Many farmers just do agriculture the cultural way, which might limit them to minimal output. However, with agricultural extension knowledge, little of farmers can be productive and bring the best output.
This aspect of agriculture includes agricultural advisory. As it is very crucial to the development of one’s farming practice.
Why is Agricultural Extension Important in Nigeria
Many farmers in Nigeria still dwell in the old practice of farming, they need to be enlightened to get the best out of the farming business. How scientific approach has benefited the farming business. Today many advanced countries are doing well when it comes to farming as an advanced mechanism has been incorporated into the business.
one important reason Agricultural extension in Nigeria should be encouraged is that it helps in the adoption of innovations, now when new methods or practices are introduced, this is introduced to farmers and emphasized the benefits of adopting these new methods.
Another important reason for the agricultural extension is to increase farm yields and improve the standard of living of farmers. When farmers work effortlessly and effectively with devices or farming practices.
This gives room for better production and improves the standard of living of farmers. When a farmer has more products to sell, he gains more profits.
The rural part of the country is mostly where agricultural products come from, when an agricultural extension is practised, this gives room to understand what the rural part of the country lacks thereby opening awareness to the government to better their life so they can do more business.
And lastly, Agricultural extension contributes to the development of national development programmes, with more programmes to enlighten farmers on innovative and best practices, which could create more programmes enlighten farmers on best practices.
Universities in Nigeria
The University is the highest tertiary institution in Nigeria that offers, Bachelor’s, Master and Doctorate degrees. Most courses run in the university last for around 4 to 5 years in Nigeria
There are over 153 universities across the 36 states in Nigeria, both private and public universities. These universities are registered by the National University Commission (NUC).
In 1948, the first university in Nigeria was introduced in Ibadan. This was the University College, Ibadan. The University was a first-generation University.
However, from 1948 to 1965 the first five generation universities had been introduced. These Universities include; the University of Ibadan, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmedu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Lagos. These were created to meet the demands of the education needs in Nigeria.
After the first generation university was introduced then the second and third generation Universities were introduced, these were the likes of the University of Calabar, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, University of Port Harcourt, University of Maiduguri, Federal University of Technology ( Akure, Owerri, Yola, and Bauchi ) and others.
This was from 1970 to 1990. Before the federal government gave licenses to individuals and organizations to run private universities.
Universities Offering Agricultural Extension in Nigeria
If you are planning to take Agricultural Extension at any accredited university in Nigeria. Meanwhile, universities that are accredited for this program might have it under different names. Here is a list of universities in Nigeria that offers the program;
- Ambrose Ali University, Edo.
- Abia State University, Abia.
- Adamawa State University, Adamawa.
- Akwa-Ibom State University, Akwa-Ibom.
- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra.
- Bauchi State University, Bauchi
- Bayero University, Kano.
- University of Calabar, Calabar.
- Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi.
- Enugu State University of Technology, Enugu.
- Joseph Ayobabalola UNiversity, Osun.
- Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger.
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo.
- University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue.
- Ekiti State University, Ekiti.
- Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.
- The Federal University of Technology Minna.
- Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa.
- University of PortHarcourt, Rivers.
- Rivers State University, Rivers.
- University f Uyo, Akwa-Ibom.
- Niger Delta University, Bayelsa.
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun.
- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia.
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo.
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu.
- Crawford University, Ogun.
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun.
- University of Ibadan, Oyo.
- Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo.
So we have been able to list a couple of universities that offer the Agricultural Extension program which is a sub-course of Agricultural science.
Meanwhile, from the listed above universities, the program is called or coupled with other programs, aside been called agricultural extension. Some universities call it a different name.
Like in FUTO and UNN, it is referred to as Agricultural Extension Service, in UI, Landmark and OAU it is referred to as Agricultural extension and Rural development while NDU, OOU and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture refer it to as Agric-extension and Rural Sociology.
General Admission Requirements
While planning to gain admission to any of these schools you should know their requirements to make it into the school. However, there is a general requirement for both Direct and UTME students. For direct entry, students have two A-level passes in Chemistry and one in Zoology/Botany/Agricultural Science/Biology, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Economics and Health Science.
While for UTME students Five SSC credits pass in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science and one in Geography, Physics and Economics.
However, there are other special considerations for the by schools you can check this link for more https://nigerianscholars.com/assets/uploads/2017/01/complete.pdf
it is also great to know the UTME subjects combination for students finding admission through UTME. Here you can combine the best Chemistry, Biology/Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or physics.
Conclusion
Agricultural Extension is one of the foremost programs to take as an agricultural student. The fact that things and practices change, innovations are introduced, one has to catch up to it. Agricultural Extension is one of the best ways to get advice on the development of your farming practice.
Several universities offer the program, which includes, the University of Ibadan, Ambrose Ali University, Landmark University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Bayero University Kano, and many others; with our list, you should be able to pick the one that best suits you.
References:
- Coursehero.com – Importance of Agricultural Extension
- Yabacampus.com – Universities offering soil science in Nigeria
- Nigerianscholars.com – UTME Brochure
- Wikipedia.org – Agricultural Extension
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