The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Abuja has become the first unit within the institution to host a research grant scheme targeting student led solutions to Nigeria's food security crisis, following the disbursement of ₦3.211m to 25 final year students under the Nigeria Food Security Scholars Programme.

The beneficiaries, drawn from the faculty's final year cohort, received project based grants alongside certificates of participation to support research spanning food security, agricultural supply chains, climate resilience, post harvest loss reduction and sustainable food systems.

The Director of the Nigerian Food Security Project, Ajibola Oladiipo, stated at the scholarship presentation ceremony that the initiative was designed to anchor academic research in the practical realities facing Nigeria's agricultural sector.

"We strongly believe in the value of research and want to ensure that research emerging from academic institutions is grounded in the realities of food security challenges. Our goal is to encourage students to align their projects with practical solutions that can contribute to addressing food security issues. We are committed to funding and scaling solutions that are commercially viable," he stated.

The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Akeem Oyerinde, described the programme as a landmark development for the institution and outlined the criteria used in selecting participants.

"We were asked to select 25 outstanding students who would receive support to research food security issues, including women and youth participation in agriculture and post harvest loss reduction," he disclosed, adding that the students had been grouped into thematic research clusters and were already conducting studies expected to generate practical insights for the agricultural sector.

Oyerinde noted the significance of the initiative being a first for the university. "This is the first time that this has happened in the university. The support is highly impactful on both the students and the institution. Our goal is to produce agricultural professionals who can drive innovation and contribute to solving food insecurity challenges," he added.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, faculty members and other stakeholders. Under the programme, students will conduct their research under faculty supervisors and benefit from quarterly coaching sessions organised by the Supply Chain Research and Innovation Hub.