MOUAU Moves to Partner NOAN to Scale Organic Agriculture and Strengthen Nigeria’s Food Systems

The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, has announced plans to establish a strategic partnership with the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria to advance organic farming practices and promote healthier, more sustainable food systems across Nigeria.

The commitment was made on March 4, 2026, when the President of NOAN, Jude Obi, led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, marking one of her first official stakeholder engagements following her assumption of office.

During the visit, Obi congratulated Akanwa on her appointment as the university’s first female Vice-Chancellor and commended her early openness to collaboration. He also highlighted a two-day capacity-building programme organized by the association in partnership with the National Agricultural Seeds Council, held at the university to strengthen knowledge and practice in organic agriculture.

Addressing participants at the training’s opening session, Akanwa positioned organic agriculture as a strategic pathway for improving soil health, enhancing food quality, and driving environmental sustainability. She advocated for broader adoption of organic practices, noting their long-term value in building resilient agricultural systems.

She further emphasized that her administration is actively seeking high-impact partnerships capable of repositioning the university within Nigeria’s agricultural innovation ecosystem.

The collaboration signals a growing convergence between academic institutions and industry stakeholders aimed at scaling sustainable farming models, with NOAN continuing to serve as a central coordinating body linking local practitioners to global organic agriculture networks.