ABU VC On Challenges Of Soil Degradation, Climate Variability

By Sani Aliyu, Zaria

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Professor Adamu Ahmed has maintained that agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and the primary livelihood of millions of small holder farmers, yet the sector continues to face persistent challenges such as soil degradation, climate variability, and limited access to effective advisory services.

Prof. Adamu stated this while declaring open a Stakeholders Harmonization and Validation Workshop organized by C4ESEAS Regional Training Hub Project held at NAERLS Ultra Modern Hall.

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Innovation, Research and Development, Prof. Sanusi Rafindadi, he said that addressing these challenges requires not only sound science, but the ability to translate that science into practical, field-level solutions, this is precisely the purpose of this initiative.

The Vice Chancellor was impressed by the technical rigour the ABU project team, led by NAERLS in partnership with the Faculty of Agriculture, IAR and NIFAAS has demonstrated since implementation began in October 2025.

“Our scientists harmonized over 5,200 soil data points leveraging 5,000 legacy records alongside 166 new geo- referenced field samples collected across three agro-ecological zones and applied advanced Random Forest machine-learning algorithms to produce high-resolution (30-metre) soil fertility maps for the Guinea and Sudan Savanna zones of Kaduna and Kano States.

“These maps form the scientific foundation for all outputs being validated today, he added

He cimmended the Workshop Highlight: Official Launch of the Pilot Interactive Digital Soil Recommendation Map, adding that “a defining moment of today’s workshop is the official demonstration and launch of the C4SEAS/SAA/ABU Pilot Interactive Soil Nutrient and Management Advisory Map.”

Prof. Adamu added that this GPS-aware, web-based tool provides real-time, location-specific soil nutrient information and actionable fertilizer recommendations, enabling extension agents, Community-Based Advisors, researchers, and farmers to make informed management decisions based on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, soil organic carbon, and soil pH status.

It represents a significant step forward in bridging the gap between university research and farmer-level advisory service.

Technical validation of the six-module Principles of Soil Health for Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services curriculum and eight soil health advisory tools — for accuracy, usability, and field relevance

Harmonization of content across academic, research, and extension delivery systems eliminating gaps and overlaps

Formal stakeholder endorsement of the training and advisory framework
Agreement on a roadmap for certification through NAERLS, SAA, FDAE and NIFAAS, and integration into the National AEAS Trainer Registry and ADP delivery networks

“I wish to be clear: Ahmadu Bello University is not pursuing a pilot that ends in August 2026.

“We are implementing a three-tier institutionalization pathway — integrating this curriculum into the NAERLS Continuing Professional Development registry, as a formal elective within the Faculty of Agriculture, and ultimately securing ABU Senate approval for academic recognition.

“We intend these modules and tools to become a durable standard for soil health extension delivery across West Africa.”

He urged them to engage deeply, challenge assumptions, and help us refine a framework that ensures no Nigerian farmer is left without access to better soil health advisory services.

“I commend the Nippon Foundation, the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), and the Sasakawa Africa Association for their visionary support of this initiative.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of NAERLS Professor Sani Yusuf said, the sector continues to face persistent challenges ranging from climate variability and resource constraints to gaps in extension delivery, data integration, and policy coordination.

He stated that “it is in recognition of these challenges that initiatives such as C4SEAS have emerged to provide innovative, collaborative, and evidence-based solutions that can transform the agricultural landscape.”

According to him, this workshop, is not just another meeting; it is a platform for alignment, co-creation, and validation of ideas that will shape the future of our interventions.

“At NAERLS, our mandate has always centered on bridging the gap between research and practice.

“We are committed to ensuring that innovations developed within research institutions effectively reach the farmers who need them most”.

However, NAERLS recognizes that this mission cannot be achieved in isolation,
the complexity of today’s agricultural challenges demands multi-stakeholder collaboration.

This requires the integration of perspectives from policymakers and researchers to extension agents, private sector actors, and the farmers themselves.

The objective of this workshop to harmonizes and validates strategies, frameworks, and outputs is critical for ensuring coherence, avoiding duplication, and maximizing impact.

Through this engagement, “we aim to:
Build consensus around key approaches and methodologies.

“Aligned stakeholder roles and expectations Validate tools, frameworks, and proposed interventions strengthen partnerships for effective, implementation.”

The Director emphasized that validation is not merely a procedural step, it is a process of collective ownership, when stakeholders contribute meaningfully to shaping an initiative, they are more likely to champion its success.

In his message, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Agriculture Hon. Murtala Dabo said, agriculture remains central to livelihoods and food security, yet challenges such as declining soil fertility, climate variability, and weak extension systems continue to affect productivity.

Represented by Dr. Bege Dutse, Director of Agric Services in the Ministry of Agriculture said, Kaduna State recognizes that sustainable agricultural transformation depends on strong, knowledge-driven extension systems that provide farmers with practical and science-based advisory services.

Dabo commended the development of the Digital Soil Nutrient and Management Advisory Map Tool, which will support extension agents and farmers with site-specific soil nutrient information and fertilizer recommendations to improve productivity and sustainability.

He said, Kaduna State remains committed to supporting partnerships that strengthen extension delivery, promote evidence-based agricultural interventions, and improve farmers’ access to innovation and technology.

The Commissioner charged stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of the workshop are practical, inclusive, and responsive to farmers’ needs.