MOUAU VC Charges AESON to Fast-Track Research Transfer to Farmers as Conference Opens in Umudike

The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, has called on the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria to intensify efforts in translating agricultural research into actionable solutions for rural farmers, positioning extension systems as a decisive lever for boosting national food production.

Akanwa made the demand on April 13, 2026, during a courtesy visit by AESON delegates and at the opening of the Society’s 31st Annual Conference hosted by the university. She stressed that Nigeria’s food security outlook is directly tied to how effectively research outputs from universities and institutes are deployed at the grassroots level.

She argued that the persistent disconnect between research institutions and end-users—local farmers—remains a structural bottleneck limiting productivity, noting that scaling agricultural innovation requires deliberate dissemination frameworks and stronger last-mile delivery systems.

Describing extension services as a core driver of agricultural growth and national development, the Vice-Chancellor maintained that improving communication channels between scientists and farmers would significantly enhance yields, resilience, and sustainability across the sector.

In response, AESON President, Nkiru Theresa Meludu, reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to strengthening extension practice through research, policy engagement, and professional capacity building. She highlighted ongoing initiatives including conferences, technical workshops, and collaborative programmes aimed at upgrading extension systems and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

The conference, themed “Strengthening Agricultural Extension Innovation Systems for Greater Development Impacts,” underscores a coordinated push by AESON and MOUAU to reposition extension services as a high-impact vehicle for agricultural transformation.

In a related development, Barth Nnaji, founder of Geometric Power Limited and former Minister of Power, stated that MOUAU is strategically placed to leverage ongoing federal rural electrification initiatives and Abia State’s power sector reforms. Delivering a keynote address at the conference, he invited the university’s leadership to explore partnership opportunities with the Geometric Power Plant in Aba to support its operational and research capacity.