By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
Agricultural Experts and Researchers including Professors who converged in Maiduguri, Borno state have applauded the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Professor Babagana Jugudum, management team and staff for their doggedness and resilience in developing several improved seeds/crops varieties and research exploration despite the the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in the North East subregion.
The commendation were poured during the 2026 In-House Review Meeting and North East Zonal -Research Extension Farmer Input Linkage System (REFILS) Workshop, themed:
Declaring the Workshop open, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Borno state, Hajiya Hajara Abdulhamid, who was also the Chairperson of the occasion said, the workshop comes at a critical moment in the nation’s agricultural history when food security, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and agricultural innovations have become national priorities.
She said, the occasion is apt and timely, as agriculture is increasingly confronted by climate change, environmental degradation, population growth, insecurity, and resource constraints.
“Today, we celebrate one of Nigeria’s foremost agricultural research institutions-the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri. For decades, the Institute has remained a beacon of scientific excellence, innovation, resilience, and hope within the agricultural sector. Despite numerous challenges confronting the North-East region, LCRI has consistently demonstrated that knowledge, science, and innovation remain powerful
for transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods.
“The Institute occupies a unique and strategic position within Nigeria’s
agricultural research architecture as the national institution mandated for the genetic improvement of wheat, millet, and barley, while simultaneously
addressing the broader agricultural production challenges of the North-East agro-ecological zone.
“Through its commitment to research and development LCRI has contributed immensely to enhancing food production, increase 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-smart varieties capable of thriving under the challenging conditions of the Sudano-Sahelian ecology”. She stated.
Hajiya Abdulhamid therefore urges all stakeholders to engage constructively, share knowledge generously, and develop actionable recommendations capable of addressing the agricultural realities confronting the region.
Also, the President of Borno Agric Village, Hon Al-Amin Umara Lawan in his goodwill message said, the Institute has also continued to train and retrain farmers of Borno Agric Village every year, equipping them with modern agricultural knowledge, improved farming techniques, climate-smart practices, and innovative technologies that have greatly improved productivity and livelihoods within farming communities across the North East.
In their separate goodwill messages, Professor Ibrahim Sharifai of the Institute of Agric Research (IAR), Samaru Zaria, Professor Shettima Mustapha, Deputy Vice -Chancellor Central Administration, Kashim Ibrahim University, Professor Abubakar Usman, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Executive Chairman of 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, in which they pledged their unflinching support and collaboration with the institute to enhance food security and development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of the institute, who is also the Chief Host, Professor Babagana Jugudum thanked all participants for finding time to grace the workshop.
Jugudum said, the Institute under his leadership has consistently prioritized
agriculture as a major tool for rebuilding communities affected by insecurity and
for improving the livelihoods of thousands of families across the state.
“Through 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 North Eastern state givernors for their commitment toward 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, Senator Abubakar Kyari for his effort in boosting Agriculture in the nation”. Jugudum explained.
Our Correspondent observed that over 20 farmers’ associations, with researchers and academia in the field of Agriculture attended the ceremony, where exhibition/inspection of improved seeds/crops varieties and food stuff produced locally with millet, wheat, barley and other agricultural products by the staff of the institute were displayed.
