The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa has said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to advancing agriculture as a skills-based sector through the development of national occupational standards and practical-oriented training for Nigerian youths.

Alausa made this known on Thursday while receiving the report of National Implementation Committee On The Review and Development Of Agricultural Curricula For Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria.

He commended the committee for its dedication and extensive work, describing the shift to 80 per cent practical training as a major step towards equipping Nigerian youths with relevant skills and advancing the economic objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the presentation of the report, the Minister said the revised approach represents a significant departure from the previous 70 per cent theoretical and 30 per cent practical model.

According to him, the new structure, with 80 per cent practical training and 20 per cent theory, is designed to provide learners with the hands-on experience required to participate effectively in the agricultural sector.

Alausa expressed optimism that the new approach would produce a better-trained workforce, strengthen capacity in agriculture and translate training into productive activity that contributes to national development. He stressed that the ultimate objective was to ensure that young Nigerians acquire practical skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.

He also called for a comprehensive rollout of the new curricula, stressing the need for effective sensitisation of industry players, academics, teachers and other stakeholders on the rationale for the reforms.

He emphasised the importance of adequate teacher training and the necessary support for institutions to implement the new curricula effectively.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, commended the committee for its commitment and acknowledged the contributions of the National Board for Technical Education, the Skills Council, industry representatives and academics to the review. She said the collaboration had strengthened the process and enriched the development of the new curricula.

Ahmad expressed optimism that the reviewed curricula would deliver visible results in the agricultural sector. She stressed the need to engage stakeholders and the public on the reforms, particularly the increased emphasis on practical training, to promote understanding and support for effective implementation.

Presenting the report on behalf of the committee, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, disclosed that the exercise produced 36 new and reviewed ND and HND curricula, three NCE curricula and 31 National Occupational Standards. He said 27 of the standards were developed from scratch, while four existing standards were reviewed, significantly expanding the framework for skills training in agriculture.

Bugaje said the assignment had been completed, with the resulting documents considered and approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Board and Commission.

He added that the complete set of curricula would be formally presented at a later public event, describing the outcome as a major boost to agricultural skills development.

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