A new partnership has commenced between OCP Africa Nigeria Fertilizer, its research institution, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) and Nigerian universities, to boost the performance of the country’s agriculture.
As part of the collaboration, OCP and UM6P visited the authorities of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The Country Manager of OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited, Caleb Usoh, said the intention was to foster networking and collaboration between UM6P and the Nigerian universities. He listed agriculture, technology, environment and new vision as areas of focus, noting that the areas would enhance the country’s productivity in the sector.
“I think beyond agriculture and many other courses, we need to focus on the reality of industry needs, the reality of how the economy should be structured. The idea of going to school is to learn what would be relevant to times in society. Times are changing, so we need to change the curriculum a bit, to match basically with what the society needs,” he said.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the parties in training, development, research, technology transfer in areas, such as agriculture and fertilisation, architecture and urbanisation, chemical engineering and humanities/social sciences. Other areas covered are industrial management, mining, renewable energies, and sustainable development.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the university, Prof. Ibrahim Muhammad Danjuma, said the institution is committed to the terms and conditions of the MoU and that it would deliver on them.
The partnership is part of OCP Africa Nigeria’s collaborative effort to explore partnerships with Nigerian universities and contribute to the development of the agric sector.
