The Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, has commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its recent establishment of a Soil Health Task Team, demonstrating a renewed national commitment to data-driven agricultural development.
He made this known at the 49th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), which officially kicked off in Kano on Monday, April 7, 2025, in collaboration with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
According to him, “The five-day conference is themed ‘Promoting Soil Health and Resilience through Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development.’”
The high-level gathering brings together scientists, researchers, academics, government officials, industry players, and development partners to address critical issues around soil management, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability.
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Professor Jibrin highlighted the growing synergy between research institutions and government policy. He also disclosed that “the Minister is currently spearheading an ambitious project to map soils across Nigeria and establish a centralized, accessible soil information database. This will serve farmers in the same way a medical record supports clinical decisions; interventions will be site-specific and knowledge-based,” Prof. Jibrin said.
He further emphasized the inclusion of both the CDA and SSSN in the technical implementation committee of the project, showcasing the collaborative efforts being made to ensure its success.
Professor Jibrin also revealed that over 350 abstracts have been submitted for presentation, covering five major sub-themes: Land Resource Assessment and Management; Soil Health and Nutrient Management; Soil Physics and Conservation; Capacity Building and Extension; and Advances in Soil Research.
He acknowledged the support of various partners, including OCP Fertilizer, which has consistently backed the Society’s activities, particularly in empowering young scientists and promoting research in specialty fertilizers. Other supporters include Soil Values, Extension Africa, Ramasys, and institutions such as Sierra Leone University, Northwest University, and the Federal College of Agricultural Produce.
In his remarks, Professor Muhammad Auwalu Hussain, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at BUK, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting academic excellence and innovation. He praised the CDA’s transformation into one of the top centers of excellence in Africa, attributing much of its success to winning competitive international grants, particularly from the World Bank.
“Bayero University is proud to host this important event,” Prof. Hussain said. “The University is ranked among the top five in Nigeria, and agriculture remains one of its most distinguished faculties.”
He added that the university is honored to welcome participants from across Nigeria and the African continent, expressing optimism that the conference will not only yield groundbreaking research but also foster lasting collaborations.
As part of the event, the Society will bestow honorary fellowships on two distinguished Nigerians, including the Governor of Borno State, in recognition of their significant contributions to agriculture and soil science.
The conference continues through Friday, April 11, 2025, with scientific sessions, exhibitions, networking events, and policy dialogues expected to shape the future of soil health and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria and beyond.
