The Nigerian Senate is making strides towards the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama, Borno State, which aims to be the first of its kind in Africa.
This initiative received enthusiastic support during a public hearing held on Monday.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC, Borno Central), who sponsored the bill, stressed the necessity of creating a specialised institution that focuses on agriculture and entrepreneurship to combat the nation’s high unemployment rates and its over-reliance on white-collar jobs.
At the hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND, stakeholders voiced strong backing for the proposed university.
“The university will provide a platform for youths to transform opportunities into business ventures, thereby creating jobs for themselves and others,” Kaka stated.
He further noted the importance of entrepreneurship education, describing it as a crucial tool that equips students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and motivation to thrive in various entrepreneurial fields. He added that this education empowers students to identify investment opportunities and maximise returns, contributing to a more self-sustaining economy.
Kaka expressed urgency for the university’s establishment, noting that Nigeria has a staggering youth unemployment rate of 53%, second only to South Africa’s 61%, according to the Spectator Index. He pointed out that such alarming statistics exacerbate social vices and crime as young people struggle to survive.
“The solution lies in creating a university focused on agriculture and entrepreneurship education, preparing our youth to be responsible and enterprising,” he added.
Committee Chairman Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutse echoed these sentiments, stating, “The proposed Entrepreneurship University in Agriculture will foster a generation of job creators rather than job seekers.”
Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum, the Shehu of Bama Dr. Ibn Umar Kyari El-Kanemi, and other local leaders expressed gratitude to the Senate for this legislative initiative.
They pledged to leverage the university to transform Borno State’s economic landscape and improve the livelihoods of its residents.
