PHOTOS: VP Shettima tours IITA in Ibadan, says research institution key to FG’s agricultural revolution*

Nigeria Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, for an official visit to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters.

He was received on arrival by the Deputy Governor of the State, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; members of the management staff of IITA, and other government officials.

The Vice President met with the management and staff of the agricultural research-for-development organisation before conducting an assessment tour to several key facilities, including the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health/GIS, Seed System for Cassava, Yam and Banana, as well as the institute’s Aflasafe and Nodumax factories.

During the assessment tour of the IITA, the Vice President reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to an agricultural revolution, emphasizing the crucial role of research institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and other partner organizations in achieving food security.

Shettima expressed confidence in the institution’s expertise, capacity, and technological innovations to harness Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

He noted that self-reliance in agriculture is now a necessity, especially given the withdrawal of specialized grants previously allocated to the health and agricultural sectors.

The Vice President said: “Tinubu’s administration has taken the bull by the horns and is walking the talk by addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges.

Looking inwards has become imperative, especially with the withdrawal of some specialized grants meant to alleviate the plight of Nigerians in the health and agricultural sectors.

“The IITA is an institution that has been at the forefront of agricultural research, food security, and economic development across Africa for the past five decades.”

Since its establishment in 1967, IITA is renowned for its research programmes focusing on Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement, Natural Resource Management, Social Science and Agribusiness, Plant Production and Plant Health, and Nutrition and Food Technology.