FG Unveils New Agricultural Curriculum to Boost Livestock Skills
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Idi Mukhtar Maiha |
"The initiative would bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements.' Maiha
.... Says "practical skills and stronger partnerships with the private sector were essential to unlocking the economic potential of the livestock industry."
The Federal Government has unveiled revised agricultural curricula and national occupational standards aimed at equipping students with practical livestock skills, boosting employment and accelerating the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the unveiling of the reviewed curricula and occupational standards for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and Colleges of Education.
Maiha said the initiative would bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements, stressing that practical skills and stronger partnerships with the private sector were essential to unlocking the economic potential of the livestock industry.
He described livestock development as critical to Nigeria’s food and nutrition security, job creation, industrial growth and economic diversification.
According to the Minister, the sector offers significant opportunities for investment, entrepreneurship, import substitution and export expansion, but the shortage of hands-on technical expertise remains a major challenge.
“The value of that market is about $3.2 billion. We have the livestock, we have the land resources, we have the skill level. But that issue of having practical experience for people who manage ranches end to end, from field to fork, we don't have it,” he said.
Maiha described the curriculum review as a step towards addressing the skills gap and preparing a competent workforce capable of driving modern livestock production and enterprise development.
He listed animal production, breeding, nutrition, animal health, biosecurity, pasture development, processing and marketing among the critical areas in which students must acquire practical competencies.
The minister stressed that agricultural training institutions must move beyond theoretical instruction by providing students with access to functional farms and livestock facilities where they can gain hands-on experience in modern production systems.
“Our goal must be to move beyond producing job seekers to developing skilled professionals, innovative entrepreneurs and job creators,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the revised curriculum promotes inclusive access to skills development, particularly for women, young people, smallholder farmers and rural communities.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, commended the institutions, industry partners and other stakeholders involved in the review, describing the initiative as part of the Federal Government's efforts to align education with national development priorities.
Alausa said agricultural education must keep pace with technological advancements, modern production methods and the evolving needs of industry.
He stressed that graduates should be equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with the practical abilities to apply their skills, develop enterprises and create economic value.
The education minister also called for the modernisation of agricultural training facilities, including farms, processing centres, greenhouses and other practical learning environments.
He emphasised the need for stronger coordination among regulatory agencies to ensure that the revised curriculum and occupational standards were effectively implemented through appropriate institutional adoption, assessment, monitoring and accreditation.
Other stakeholders, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the National Universities Commission and the Embassy of France, welcomed the curriculum review.
They, however, stressed that its success would depend on the availability of qualified trainers, appropriate equipment, effective assessment systems and opportunities for workplace learning.
The revised curriculum is expected to strengthen the link between agricultural education and industry needs, providing a foundation for developing skilled professionals who can improve livestock productivity, support agribusinesses and create employment across the sector's value chain.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Henrietta Okokon, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Ministry, Abuja.
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