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By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
Agricultural experts and researchers, including professors gathered in Maiduguri, Borno State, have applauded the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Professor Babagana Jugudum, the management team and staff for their tenacity and resilience in developing different varieties of improved seeds/crops and exploring research despite the Boko Haram atrocities that have lasted for over a decade in the North Eastern sub-region.
The praise was expressed during the 2026 internal review meeting and REFILS (North East Zonal -Research Extension Farmer Input Linkage System) workshop, themed:
Declaring the seminar open, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hajiya Hajara Abdulhamid, who was also the Chairman of the occasion, said the seminar comes at a critical juncture in the nation’s agricultural history where food security, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and agricultural innovations have become national priorities.
According to her, the opportunity is timely and timely, as agriculture is increasingly faced with climate change, environmental degradation, population growth, insecurity and resource limitations.
“Today we celebrate one of Nigeria’s premier agricultural research institutes – the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri. For decades, the Institute has remained a beacon of scientific excellence, innovation, resilience and hope in the agricultural sector. Despite the many challenges facing the North Eastern region, LCRI has consistently demonstrated that knowledge, science and innovation remain powerful
to transform agriculture and improve livelihoods.
“The Institute occupies a unique and strategic position within Nigeria
agricultural research architecture as a national institution responsible for the genetic improvement of wheat, millet and barley, and at the same time
address the broader challenges of agricultural production in the North-East agroecological zone.
“Through its commitment to research and development, LCRI has contributed immensely to improving food production, increasing productivity, improving rural incomes and strengthening national food security.
“I am pleased to note that LCRI has remained at the forefront of developing improved, certified, high-yielding, drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, early-maturing and climate-friendly varieties capable of thriving in the challenging conditions of the Sudanese-Sahelian ecology.” He stated.
Hajiya Abdulhamid therefore urges all stakeholders to engage constructively, generously share knowledge and develop actionable recommendations that can address the agricultural realities facing the region.
Furthermore, the Chairman of Borno Agric Village, Hon. Al-Amin Umara Lawan, in his goodwill message said that the Institute has continued to train and retrain the farmers of Borno Agric Village every year, equipping them with modern agricultural knowledge, improved agricultural techniques, climate-friendly practices and innovative technologies that have significantly improved productivity and livelihoods within the farming communities of the North East.
In their separate goodwill messages, Professor Ibrahim Sharifai of the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru Zaria, Professor Shettima Mustapha, Vice Chancellor of Central Administration, Kashim Ibrahim University, Professor Abubakar Usman, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Executive Chairman of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Hon Ali Bolori, represented by the Secretary of the Council, Alhaji Abba Ali and Professor Abba Makinta of Mohammed Goni College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, among other stakeholders, congratulated the Executive Secretary of LCRI, Professor Jugudum for organizing the annual event, where they pledged their unwavering support and collaboration with the institution to enhance food security and development.
Earlier, in her welcome speech, the Executive Director of the institute, who is also the chief guest, Professor Babagana Jugudum, thanked all the participants for taking the time to grace the workshop.
Jugudum said the Institute under his leadership has consistently prioritized
agriculture as the main tool to rebuild communities affected by insecurity e
to improve the living conditions of thousands of families across the state.
“Thanks to my visionary leadership, farmers have received support in the areas of improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation facilities, mechanized farming, access to farmland and agricultural empowerment programmes.
“We sincerely commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno and other state donors from the North East for their commitment towards strengthening agriculture, food security, economic development and national stability in Nigeria.
“We are also commending the effort of our Minister of Agriculture and Food
Security, to Senator Abubakar Kyari for his commitment to reviving agriculture in the country,” Jugudum explained.
Our correspondent noted that over 20 farmers’ associations, researchers and academicians in the field of agriculture attended the ceremony, where improved varieties of seeds/crops and food products produced locally from millet, wheat, barley and other agricultural products were displayed/inspected by the institute’s staff.
