The Supply Chain Research and Innovation Hub (SCRIH) has partnered with some Nigerian universities to establish its Annex and the country’s first National Agricultural Reference Laboratory (NARL).
The founder of SCRIH, Mr Adebayo Adeleke, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos that the establishment aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape.
Adeleke said that the facilities would be located on the campuses of the partner institutions.
He added that one of the primary goals of the Annex was to improve the movement of agricultural products from farms to consumers.
According to him, the hub aims to enhance logistics and transportation networks, ensuring farmers have access to markets and receive fair prices for their produce.
He also explained that the NARL would provide critical insights to inform policies and practices aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
Adeleke said, “The ground-breaking project started with the visit to Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, where the first SCRIH is expected to be built.
“This followed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Abuja(UNIABUJA) through its Faculty of Agriculture, while also signing another agreement with the university’s management to establish NARL.”
Adeleke emphasised that the MoU was crucial for the agricultural sector, describing it as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
According to him, the sector is currently threatened by issues such as inefficient supply chains, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to modern technology.
The SCRIH founder stated that the laboratory, which would be housed under the Faculty of Agriculture at the university, would serve as the center for agricultural research, testing, and development in Nigeria.
Adeleke mentioned that the primary objective of the laboratory includes, enhancing food safety and quality, supporting research and development, training students, researchers and agricultural professionals.
He also added that the laboratory would provide policy development support through critical data.
“Universities are centres of learning, innovation and research, so it is only right that a facility that will focus on innovation is housed there,” he said.
He hinted that there would be more announcements, as the hub continues to discuss with more schools, with the aim of helping agriculture in the country.
In line with its vision to encourage innovation, Adeleke said that SCRIH also offered microgrants and scholarships to empower students and researchers.
Adeleke added this was aimed at pursuing innovative projects that address specific challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural supply chains.
Commenting on the development, Prof. Akeem Oyerinde, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, UNIABUJA, said that Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food safety issues require a holistic approach.
He stressed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among experts and the cultivation of the next generation of agricultural scientists and innovators. (NAN)
