Victoria Mbangwa
The Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Association has emphasized the importance of alumni involvement in agriculture as a key strategy to boost food security while calling on the Federal Government to establish a strong monitoring and evaluation mechanism for agricultural investments.
At a press conference in Ado Ekiti, ahead of the association’s annual lecture and award ceremony on March 31, 2025, the Chairman of the EKSU Alumni Association, Ekiti State chapter, Mr. Adetunji Aribasoye, emphasized the group’s efforts in promoting agriculture.
He also underscored the importance of ensuring proper oversight of agricultural funds to guarantee they benefit genuine farmers and create a significant impact.
“Our association has taken proactive steps to contribute to food security. The university has provided us with 10 hectares of land for farming, and the state government has assisted in land preparation,” Aribasoye said. “We are also mobilizing resources through our multipurpose cooperative society, which has already generated over N11 million in just three months.”
Aribasoye acknowledged the Federal Government’s recent investments in agriculture, including the procurement of 2,000 tractors and funding through the National Agricultural Development Fund. However, he urged the government to put in place a robust monitoring framework to ensure the effective utilization of these resources.
“There’s a lot happening in agriculture, but without a strong monitoring and evaluation system, funds may not reach the right people. We need to ensure that young people and genuine farmers have access to these resources,” he said.
He commended the Ekiti State Government, EKSU, and the alumni body for their efforts in boosting food production, emphasizing that alumni engagement in agriculture could serve as a model for other institutions to support national food security goals.
