ABU Hosts International Conference on Underutilized Legumes for Food Security

The National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, and the Genetic Resources Center, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), have organised a two-day International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL).

The conference, themed Promoting Underutilized Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Advances in Biotechnology, Value Chain Development and Climate-Smart Practices, was held at the NAERLS Ultra-Modern Conference Hall, ABU Zaria, on Wednesday, 21st October, 2026.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, declared the conference open.

He said the event reflected the value of bringing research institutions, professional associations, policy makers and industry stakeholders together to address pressing agricultural challenges.

Prof. Ahmed described the theme as timely, noting that it was coming at a time when climate change, soil degradation, population growth and rising food and input costs demand more diverse, nutritious and resilient food systems.

He emphasised that underutilized legumes offer significant opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.

As a leading institution in agricultural education and research, he said, it is the responsibility of Ahmadu Bello University to advance these priorities, stressing that no single institution can achieve this alone.

"We must strengthen inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral partnerships that connect scientific discoveries with farmers' needs, consumer preferences, commercial opportunities and evidence-based policies," he said.

Prof. Ahmed encouraged participants to use the conference to identify research priorities, explore advances in biotechnology and plant breeding, strengthen quality seed systems, promote climate-smart production, and develop commercially viable value chains for underutilized legumes.

He expressed hope that deliberations would produce practical recommendations, new partnerships and a clear framework for action beyond the conference.

The Chairman of the occasion was Alhaji Ibrahim H. Bamalli, Madakin Gonan Zazzau.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Juliana Cheboi, Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Kenya, said underutilized legumes are not simply crops waiting to be improved, but opportunities to connect genetic diversity, farmer knowledge, nutrition enterprise and climate resilience.

Dr. Cheboi stressed the need for prioritizing species and varieties with communities based on ecology, use, market demand and local knowledge.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Mohammed Sagir, appreciated the university for hosting the conference and commended participants, wishing them meaningful intellectual discussions, networking and learning.