Nigeria’s Senate is advancing a groundbreaking bill that could place the country at the forefront of agricultural and entrepreneurial education in Africa. The proposal to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama, Borno State, spearheaded by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC, Borno Central), received enthusiastic backing during a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND.
Senator Kaka highlighted that the university’s mission is not only to tackle Nigeria’s high youth unemployment rate, which currently stands at 53% according to the Spectator Index, but also to catalyze a shift from dependence on traditional jobs toward entrepreneurship. “The proposed university will provide a platform for youths to transform opportunities into business ventures, allowing them to manage those ventures to create jobs for themselves and others,” he explained.
The institution aims to address one of the country’s most pressing concerns: youth unemployment. By equipping young Nigerians with skills in agriculture and entrepreneurship, Senator Kaka envisions a new wave of job creators rather than job seekers, with a focus on instilling practical skills that can lead to sustainable careers.
The proposal has not only garnered support in the Senate but also from influential figures, including Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee. Praising the initiative, Dandutse noted, “This university has the unique potential in Africa to address the employment crisis by fostering a generation of job creators who will contribute to economic growth and diversification in Nigeria.”
For Borno State, a region that has faced years of conflict and economic hardship, the establishment of this university represents hope and revitalization. Governor Professor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Ibn Umar Kyari El-Kanemi, both expressed enthusiasm, noting that such an institution would contribute positively to the region’s recovery and growth.
As support from stakeholders continues to grow, this proposal represents more than just an academic advancement—it is a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience and commitment to economic transformation. Should the bill pass, it will not only reshape education in Nigeria but also create a new model for integrating entrepreneurship with agriculture on the African continent.
