BUK Receives N40m Agricultural Mechanization Equipment to Boost Students' Practical Skills Under WOFAN-CDA SIBLING Project

Bayero University, Kano, BUK, through the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, CDA, and the Faculty of Agriculture, has received agricultural machinery worth N40 million donated by the Women Farmers Advancement Network, WOFAN.

The donation is part of the SIBLING Initiative, Skills Improvement to Boost Livelihood and Nurture Growth, a strategic partnership designed to transition students from theoretical subsistence concepts to practical, commercialized agribusiness that creates job opportunities and boosts access to food security.

The equipment was handed over during a ceremony held on Saturday, 18th July, 2026, attended by faculty members, students, and farmer groups. Items donated include: a 40-horsepower tractor valued at N30.5 million with full implements for ploughing, harrowing and ridging; power tillers and fertilizer applicators; two tricycle carriers for transporting inputs, harvests and linkages to markets; solar-powered knapsack sprayers and complete protective clothing kits; as well as rice and maize shellers and rice cutters.

Presenting the items, WOFAN's Group Executive Board Chair, Dr. Salamatu Garba, emphasized that theoretical knowledge alone cannot prepare students for the modern agricultural landscape.

"We are sending this with love and respect to all of you so that you will use them to improve your practical knowledge that prepares you for your journey of being dignified agripreneurs and employers of labour," she said.

"When you go out into the world to become real businessmen and women, these technologies will no longer be new to you," she stated.

Dr. Garba further highlighted that the machinery would not only reduce labour and increase productivity but also serve as a revenue stream for the students. She encouraged them to provide mechanization services to nearby farms during their free periods.

SolaceBase recalls that this donation follows a previous contribution of N28 million worth of agricultural inputs provided by WOFAN earlier to commence the 2026 wet season farming for the pioneer team of the SIBLING project cycle.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Academic, Professor Amina Mustapha, expressed gratitude to WOFAN. She noted that the intervention aligns with the university's mission to produce graduates who are not just job seekers, but employers of labour and successful entrepreneurs. She assured WOFAN that the equipment would be judiciously maintained and utilized.

In his remarks, the Chairman of WOFAN's Technical Board of Advisers, Professor Sani Miko, charged the students to take full advantage of the opportunity.

"All these things we are doing are for your own good. You must show your passion, commitment, and dedication to ensure that this project transforms your career path and the agricultural future of this country," he urged.

On his part, the President of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students, BUK Chapter, Umar Kabir Bello, thanked Dr. Salamatu Garba, WOFAN, the CDA, the Faculty of Agriculture, the university management and other partners for the intervention. He said the equipment would improve students' practical learning and expose them to modern agricultural tools and techniques.

The President assured the partners that the students would make judicious use of the equipment and remain committed to the success of the SIBLING Initiative.

The SIBLING Initiative continues to serve as a flagship model for town-and-gown collaboration, bridging the gap between academic learning, mutual partnership alignment, and industry-standard agricultural practices.