The Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Laminu Mele, has called on individuals, governments, and stakeholders to intensify efforts in addressing food security challenges, including those posed by climate change, emerging technologies, and increasing food scarcity in Nigeria.
Prof. Mele made the call on Thursday at a one-day conference organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, with the theme “Creating Change and Solving Problems in Food Insecurity,” held at the Muhammadu Indimi Conference Centre.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that addressing food security in Nigeria requires a shift from traditional farming methods to more strategic and innovative solutions that leverage technology.
“Food security goes beyond conventional agriculture. It demands a deeper understanding of interconnected systems and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to address growing challenges like climate change and evolving agricultural needs,” Prof. Mele stated.
He stressed that in regions like the North-East, where agriculture is central to livelihoods, it is vital to rethink agricultural practices to ensure sustainability and resilience.
Prof. Mele added that the University of Maiduguri remains committed to academic excellence and community service through the integration of smart farming techniques, biotechnology, and sustainable agricultural innovations into its curriculum and research activities.
The convener of the conference, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, also underscored the role of youths and women in solving food and ecological challenges. He encouraged students to embrace modern agricultural technologies and innovations in crop and livestock production.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Abubakar Ibrahim, highlighted the importance of nutrition as an integral part of food security. He commended the university management for its support and appreciated the organizers for the success of the event.
The conference brought together academics, students, and stakeholders to share ideas on addressing the multidimensional nature of food insecurity in Nigeria.
