In a significant step toward advancing agricultural innovation and national food security, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Oyo State Command, formalized a new partnership with IITA–CGIAR on 24 November by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The delegation, led by the Deputy Comptroller, Kayode Akano, included P.A. to the Comptroller, Steven Arinde; representative of the Immigration Officers Wives Association (IMMOWA), Temitayo Akinyemi; and President of the Cooperative Investments and Credit Society, Oyo State Command, Segun Olatunbosun.
This MoU is a follow-up to their courtesy visit in September, during which the new Comptroller of Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, Ikechi Ugbogu Nwosu, explored potential areas of collaboration with IITA. During that initial meeting, Comptroller Nwosu shared that the Nigerian government had authorized the Immigration Service to venture into agriculture, a directive that prompted the search for a strategic partner. He emphasized IITA’s longstanding reputation in agricultural research and impact, noting that its innovations have boosted crop productivity and strengthened farmer livelihoods.
In his remarks, Comptroller Nwosu praised IITA-CGIAR’s contributions to global agriculture. According to him, “with the privilege that the federal government granted our agency to venture into agriculture, we hope to work collaboratively to reverse the advancing effects of global warming and climate change. We no longer want to be merely consumers but active participants in attaining food security, and it would be tremendously beneficial to partner with this foremost agricultural institute.”
He further assured IITA of the Immigration Service’s improved internal processes, explaining that the institute now stands to benefit from an expanded range of visa options under Nigeria’s revised visa policy.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured several cutting-edge facilities at IITA, including the Genetic Resources Center, the Cassava Processing Unit, and the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) systems. The tour provided the team with a firsthand look at the technological advancements that could shape their upcoming agricultural initiatives.
Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Dr Tahirou Abdoulaye, expressed gratitude for the team’s confidence in IITA, stressing the institute’s commitment to collaborations that drive development. He assured the delegation that IITA’s knowledge, expertise, and technologies would be fully accessible to them. “You have come to the right place, and we are willing to support you,” he stated.
The Immigration team also reaffirmed their enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that their earlier visit inspired this next step. According to the Vice Comptroller, the collaboration would create meaningful opportunities for officers, their wives, and the cooperative, enhancing their skills and participation in agriculture. “We realized that we needed to take advantage of these resources, and we are happy that you accepted our offer. This will help us as individuals and as an institute to develop and better the society,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Dr Tahirou reaffirmed IITA’s readiness, stating that the institute is ready to do everything within its resources to support the partnership.
Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola
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