…demands student stake in Ogun’s agricultural revolution

By Joseph Erunke

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Ogun State Joint Campus Council, JCC, has applauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for securing a landmark $250 million dairy investment, describing the project as a game-changer capable of transforming Ogun State into a major hub for agribusiness, job creation and economic growth.

The student body, however, urged the state government to ensure that students are not left on the sidelines of the multi-million-dollar initiative, calling for deliberate policies that will integrate undergraduates and graduates into the project’s implementation and benefits.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NANS Ogun JCC Chairman, Comrade Tijani Habeebullahi Adekunle, said the investment reflects Governor Abiodun’s commitment to economic diversification, agricultural transformation, food security and sustainable development.

According to him, the dairy project has the potential to significantly boost livestock production, attract further investments, create thousands of jobs and strengthen Ogun State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most attractive destinations for agricultural and industrial development.

“This remarkable achievement is a testament to the Governor’s unwavering commitment to economic diversification, agricultural transformation, food security and sustainable development,” the statement said.

While celebrating the investment, NANS stressed that its success would be more impactful if students and young professionals were actively incorporated into the value chain.

The association noted that students studying agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, biotechnology, environmental sciences, food science and other related disciplines stand to gain immensely from hands-on participation in the project.

To achieve this, NANS called on the state government and the project’s investors to establish structured programmes that would provide internship opportunities, industrial training placements, research partnerships, field demonstrations, scholarships, capacity-building initiatives and graduate employment pathways.

The student body argued that such interventions would bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and real-world industry practice while producing a new generation of highly skilled agricultural professionals.

“Nigerian students should not merely watch this investment from afar. It should become a platform for practical learning, innovation, skills acquisition and career development,” the association stated.

According to NANS, integrating students into the project will not only enhance its long-term sustainability but also equip young people with the practical knowledge needed to drive Nigeria’s quest for agricultural self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies that promote education, youth empowerment, economic growth and sustainable development across Ogun State.

It expressed optimism that the $250 million investment would translate into tangible opportunities for students and youths while accelerating the state’s agricultural transformation agenda.

The student body also congratulated Governor Abiodun and all stakeholders involved in attracting the investment, describing the project as a milestone that could redefine the future of agriculture and youth employment in Ogun State.