By Ngozi Nwankwo
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has assembled a team of experts to commence the selection of ten beneficiary universities for the establishment of mechanised commercial farms and livestock operations in its 2025 intervention.
Chairman of TETFund Board of Trustees, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari,
said the criteria for selection are that beneficiary institutions must be a University of Agriculture or having a robust Faculty of Agriculture.
Masari added that such universities must own at least 50 hectares of unencumbered land, and operating a functional commercial farm with at least one agricultural value chain.
The TETFund BoT Chairman spoke in Abuja while inaugurating a five-member Committee on Agricultural Commercial Farms Evaluation Committee on Monday to drive innovation and transparency in the selection process.
He revealed that under the 2025 Intervention initiative, ten universities will be supported in establishing mechanised commercial farms and livestock operations in the first phase of the programme.
“Most of the institutions have submitted their Expressions of Interest, and it became necessary to constitute this committee to ensure objectivity and transparency in the selection process,” he said.
According to him, agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s socio-economic development, offering not just food security but also opportunities for poverty reduction, employment creation, and national prosperity.
He also emphasized the importance of modern agricultural technologies such as automation, precision farming, and data analytics, which have transformed agriculture in developed economies and can do the same in Nigeria if properly harnessed.
Masari commended the committee members for their patriotism and commitment to national service, noting their presence at the event on short notice reflected their dedication to national development.
“Agriculture provides food security, generates income, and contributes to economic growth, especially in developing countries like ours. By promoting agricultural development, we are also promoting inclusive growth and reducing the urban-rural divide,” he said.
Masari noted that, historically, agriculture had been Nigeria’s economic mainstay before the oil boom, and continues to contribute significantly to GDP.
He argued that boosting productivity through research, education, and innovation would enhance national wealth, improve farmer incomes, and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.
The TETFund BoT chairman noted that eight of the Fund’s 27 Centres of Excellence focus on agriculture, adding that the agency is funding the establishment of Agricultural Research Laboratories and Demonstration Farms in six universities to improve crop and animal production through technology-driven research and training.
The Evaluation Committee, which is chaired by the Director of Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ewara E. Bassey, comprises of representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Livestock Development, National Universities Commission, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and TETFund’s Research & Development/Centres of Excellence Department, Secretary.
Masari outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include assessing submissions, developing evaluation templates, scoring performance, and recommending qualified institutions across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
“The constitution and composition of this committee underscore the importance we place on this project. You are expected to work as a team and deliver professionally,” he said, giving the committee a two-week deadline to submit its report.
“With great confidence in your expertise and experience, I hereby inaugurate this Evaluation Committee on Agricultural Commercial Farms, this day, Monday, 7th July, 2025.”
He expressed optimism that their work would contribute meaningfully to the nation’s agricultural transformation.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Bassey, thanked the Fund for the opportunity to serve, saying the committee considers the task before it a call to national duty.
He expressed confidence in the quality of members selected for the committee, pledging that it would not only deliver on its mandate, but also provide recommendations that would make the scheme impactful.