Deserted Promise: Unizik's neglect of iFite-Ogwari Agricultural Land costs community N1.1 billion

In 2006, the iFite-Ogwari community in Anambra State donated 120 hectares of land to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) for the establishment of a faculty of agriculture. However, 19 years later, the land remains largely unused, which symbolizes a missed opportunity for the agricultural sector in Nigeria and the community costs an estimated N1.1 billion in lost food production. Prime Business Africa reported that the IFITE-OGWARI community in Anambra State donated 120 hectares of agricultural land to Unizik for its faculty of agriculture. However, the site remains deserted, symbolizing the missed opportunities amid Nigeria’s worse food crisis. On the issue, Chief Ogugua Okoye, a well-known community leader and commercial farmer at iFite-Oogwari, revealed that about 56 families, including his own, donated about 120 hectares of land donated to Unizik. He said that these families generate an average annual revenue of N1 million per family on their farms, which amounts to more than N1 billion in lost opportunities over the past 19 years. He said: “We willingly donated our country because we were convinced that the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture at IFITE-OGWARI would bring greater development and benefit to the entire community. We promised that work on the farm in the farm would be, and even the admission of our children in the university as compensation for the donation. It also did not use it as promised. Criminal activities, vandalism and Bush fires threaten the deserted Faculty The IFITE-OGWARI community also complains that the abandoned buildings now hold security threats. Faculty is not moving? is. He noted that the iFite-Ogwari community is the food basket of the Anambra state and in the extension of the southeastern Nigeria, and that he has donated such a large country for the benefit of the university, the community and the country. The University Authority responds to Professor Ifeyinwa Ebenebe, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of Unizik, addressed the concern of the IFITE-OGWARI community regarding the under-utilization of the 120 hectares of land donated to the university 19 years ago. She argued that although land is essential, successful agricultural development requires labor, capital and entrepreneurship. The professor said that each of the seven departments of the faculty has its own needs; Some use the IFITE-OGWARI land for industrial training, while others need specialized facilities such as livestock farms or sugars units. Prof. Ebenebe emphasized the absence of critical infrastructure, such as students residences, staff quarters and livestock buildings, which attributed these shortcomings to limited financial resources and reliance on student contributions. “Agriculture requires a comprehensive approach over mere availability of land,” she explained. A statement showed that IFITE-OGWARI offered more than just land. Although the Dean has called on collaboration between the University and the IFite-Ogwari community to plead for the necessary resources and infrastructure, is a statement provided by the president-general (PG) of IFITE-OGWARI community, engineer Peter Muonye, ​​chairman of the city’s teaching committee. Basil Ekwunife was signed, and the city committee did on October 31, 2024, that they did more than the committee. donate only soil. According to the statement, the community provided free accommodation to staff and students, with some farmers offering their only rooms, despite having to pay rent to their children in AWKA. The Anambra State Government has dedicated community development funds to building residences for students. They also facilitated the Cofo Certificate (Cofo) for the land, a process that usually lasts years, and convinced the then governor Willie Obiano to relinquish the ₦ 17.5 million fee. They mobilized financial support for faculty operations and contributed more than 4 million at different times. They obtained the construction of the government’s path that led to the faculty. They provided land for students’ cooperative farming, in the hope of encouraging agro-economic activities. But despite these efforts, Unizik could not maintain the end of the bargain. The statement further showed that between 2015 and 2024, the university repeatedly made promises to relocate the faculty, but found new excuses every time. Next, the absence of a take -off award led the community to raise ₦ 1 million to facilitate the process. Yet the faculty never moved fully. According to the PG of IFITE -ogwari: “Under my guidance, the community stretched itself too much to support the activities of the Faculty of Agriculture at IFITE-OGWARI, including renovation and dedication of a Fadama building at IFITE-EYGWARI for the secure conservation of the faculty’s implement and tools, sponsoring the annual lunch. IFITE-AGWARI UNDERCAPTIONS, said he was deeply disappointed at the pace of development at the Faculty of Agriculture in IFITE-AGWARI, despite the great sacrifices made by the community and industries in support of the university. And its development can finance, as if it was for the university, it did not get ready to have a faculty of agricultural. “If the Unizik Faculty of Agriculture can scale through NUC accreditation processes all the time without any tangible evidence of practical activities for the teaching and learning of agriculture on iFite-Ogwari campus, then there is more than the viewers of viewers meet. IFITE-OGWARI community and the food security of Nigeria. “The revival of a lost opportunity: how Unizik can maximize the IFITE-OGWARI Agricultural land, the Faculty has not moved, and the Agricultural Potential of IFITE-OGWARI has left unwanted. A deteriorating food security crisis is struggling. Still, Unizik still has the opportunity to turn this deserted project into a thriving agricultural center. Practical steps for the revival Immediate deployment of agricultural programs: Unizik must initiate the relocation of core agricultural programs to IFITE-Oogwari, which ensures that students gain practical experience in farming, livestock-rearing and agricultural businesses. This will align the university’s curriculum with the realities of modern agriculture, which offer students practical skills. Public Private Partnerships (PPP): The university can work with agricultural businesses, non-governmental organizations and government agencies to finance and develop large-scale farming projects. Investors in commercial agriculture would like to work with an institution that offers land, labor (students) and research capabilities. The use of the Anambra River Basin Development Authority: The proximity of the Anambra River Basin Development Authority provides an opportunity for large -scale irrigation projects. By working with the agency, Unizik can ensure all year through agricultural activities, increase food production and research on sustainable farming methods. The development of a research and training center: The establishment of a fully functional agricultural research and training center will enable Unizik to become a leading institution in agriculture innovation. This center can focus on improving crop yields, pest control, climate-cost farming and mechanized agriculture. It can also serve as a training center for local farmers. Commercial farming for income generation: The university can launch commercial farming initiatives, crops such as rice, cassava and maize while participating in livestock production. It will earn revenue for Unizik, while providing a sustainable food supply chain for the local economy. Involvement with the IFITE-OGWARI community: To rebuild confidence, Unizik must be involved in the IFITE-OGWARI community again. This includes offering jobs, capacity building programs and scholarships for local youth who want to study agriculture. The continued support of the community is crucial to the success of this project. Government interference and policy advocacy: Unizik must actively seek support at the Anambra state and federal governments, and advocate policies that encourage university-led agriculture initiatives. Grants and subsidies for agricultural research and production can provide much -needed financial support. While navigating the above steps, Unizik must learn from institutions such as Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture, which has successfully integrated research with practical farming. Unizik can do the same. The time to act is now: With the right approach, the university will not only fulfill its initial promises, but also make important contributions to food production, job creation and research -driven solutions to the agricultural sector in Nigeria. Nigeria cannot afford to waste valuable agricultural land if millions of its citizens face food insecurity. Unizik still has the opportunity to save itself by turning IFITE-OGWARI into a center of agricultural excellence. Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson journalism and member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, is the publisher of Prime Business Africa