Tinubu’s Administration Committed To Research, Staff Welfare, Says ARCN Boss

Janet Samuel

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving staff welfare, boosting research, and ensuring sustainable development across agricultural institutes and colleges under the Council.

Dr. Dabban gave the assurance on Monday during his oversight visit to the National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) in Lagos, where he expressed satisfaction with the institute’s teamwork and operational successes.

He noted that discussions were ongoing with the Head of Service to address staff welfare issues, especially in relation to conditions of service and access to funds through the Nigerian Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

“This is a new dawn and we will change the narrative. We want to have associate professors in the research circle, and we need your support to change the nomenclature,” Dabban said.

Earlier, the Executive Director of NIOMR, Prof. Abiodun Sule, highlighted the institute’s contributions to food security, poverty reduction, and a cleaner marine environment, which he said have contributed to national GDP growth. He explained that since its establishment in 1975, NIOMR has been mandated to ensure the sustainable exploitation of marine resources, environmental conservation, and training in fisheries and marine safety.

Also speaking, Dr. Ademola Yakub, Director of the Biological Oceanography Department, disclosed that NIOMR has 627 staff, with women making up over half of its researchers. He added that the institute has achieved notable milestones, including the establishment of outstations in Badore, Lagos, where fish feed is being produced.

In a related development, Dr. Dabban visited the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT), Lagos, where he commended management for its progress and pledged the Council’s continued support. He assured that challenges relating to TETFund and NADF interventions would soon be addressed.

“We have met with the Executive Secretary of TETFund and, in the coming days, will be signing a memorandum of understanding. So, be assured that issues concerning funding for lecturers will be resolved soon,” he said.

The Provost of the College, Dr Paul Chuks Onuoha, listed the accreditation of new programmes, expansion of student population from 500 to 2,000, and the construction of new hostels, laboratories, and workshops among its major achievements. He also noted that the college operates on a 24/7 solar power system, further strengthening its capacity for quality training and research.