Sen Alli Leads Summit On Legislative Framework To Boost Food Security
Written by News Desk on May 11, 2026
Chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has declared a summit open with a Media Parley designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector through Legislative framework, continued collaboration and research-driven innovations that would boost food security in the Country.
The Media Engagement was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Senator Alli who is the Lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District, said the summit became necessary following the Retreat by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions held last December with the support of some Development Partners.
The Committee Chairman added that the Summit billed to hold at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan would focus on improving food security by ensuring the right legislative framework for agricultural Colleges, institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
Senator Alli who lamented the disconnect between local farmers and agricultural research institutes said, many farmers remained unaware of improved seedlings, modern farming methods and technological innovations developed by Nigerian Agricultural Researchers in the Nation’s various Institutes.
The lawmaker expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining agricultural fortunes despite its historical leadership in the sector, reminding people that, Malaysia got oil palm seedlings from Nigeria decades ago and took to the Country, but has now better than Nigeria in the Palm Oil production.
Also speaking, Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Professor Lawal Atanda, described the summit as the first of its kind in the Sector, optimistic that, it would strengthen legislative frameworks and provide a roadmap for sustainable development.
On his part, the Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Dr. Rasheed Adedeji called for the need for Private Sector to support Research Institutions through funding.
He added that the Country has the needed manpower and expertise required to reposition the Agricultural institutions.
Corroborating, Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Professor Oluwatosin Gabriel said, researches remained very key to national development and food security.
The Executive Directors of the various Agricultural Research Institutes, however, commended Senator Sharafadeen Alli for initiating the Summit at this critical period in the Country.
