Firm, varsities to partner on Agric business dev’t

The OCP Africa Nigeria Fertilizer Limited, its research institution, the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) and some Nigeria’s universities have entered into a new partnership to boost the performance of the country’s agriculture.

As part of the collaboration, the OCP Africa and UM6P visited the authorities of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, weekend, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Earlier, an interactive session was organized by OCP Africa and UM6P for representatives of Nigeria’s universities in Abuja to discuss areas of collaboration.

Speaking on the partnership, the Country Manager, OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited, Mr. Caleb Usoh, said the intention was to foster networking and collaboration between UM6P and the Nigerian universities.

He listed agriculture, technology, environment and new vision as areas of focus and noted that these would enhance productivity in agriculture in Nigeria.

“I think beyond agriculture and many other courses, we need to focus on the reality of industry needs, the reality of how the economy should be structured. The idea of going to school is to learn what would be relevant to times in the society. Times are changing, so we need to change the curriculum a bit, to match basically with what the society needs,” he said.

The Deputy ViceChancellor (Academics), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Prof. Ibrahim Muhammad Danjuma, said the university is committed to the terms and conditions of the MoU and that it would deliver on them.