Nigeria Overhauls Agricultural Education to 80% Practical Training

The Nigerian Federal Government has announced a major overhaul of agricultural education in the nation's polytechnics and colleges of education, shifting the curriculum to prioritize 80 percent practical training. The reform, disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, aims to equip students with hands-on skills to address challenges in food production, reduce postharvest losses, and boost agricultural exports.

Dr. Alausa received the report of the National Implementation Committee on the Review and Development of Agricultural Curricula for Tertiary Institutions in Abuja. He stated the new framework represents a significant departure from the previous model, which allocated 70 percent of instruction to theory and only 30 percent to practical work. The revised structure now mandates 80 percent practical training and 20 percent theory. "The ultimate objective is to ensure that young Nigerians acquire practical skills that can be applied beyond the classroom," Alausa said.

The minister explained the review was necessary because existing curricula had become outdated and failed to prepare graduates for modern agricultural realities....