In a remarkable show of commitment to education and agricultural development, Prof. Sidiqat Aderinoye-Abdulwahab of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, has endowed a N1.5 million prize for outstanding male and female graduating students in agriculture at the institution.

Aderinoye-Abdulwahab made the announcement while delivering her inaugural lecture titled: ‘Sustainable, smart and safe pastoralism in Nigeria’.

The professor described the endowment as her way of giving back to society and encouraging the future generation of agriculture students, especially women.

“As a way of giving back to society and encouraging future generations of womenfolk, I pledge N750,000 for the next 10 years to the best male graduating student. This is in honour of my husband for his unwavering spirit, unflinching support, and overwhelming dedication towards my success,” she said.

The professor also donated a sum of N750,000 to the best graduating female student in agriculture in memory of Hajiya Fauziyah Ali, for encouraging her during her doctoral programme.

Beyond the donation, the university teacher advocated the promotion of safe pastoralism in Nigeria.

She called on the Ministry of Livestock Development to educate pastoralists and establish conflict mediation units to address issues between farmers and herders.

Aderinoye-Abdulwahab also charged policymakers to formulate and implement relevant policies that would enhance the implementation of existing grazing reserves and ranching.

She noted that the practice of herding and grazing ruminant animals has a long and varied history.

She added that the complex interplay of livelihood, environmental, and social insecurity challenges facing pastoralism in Nigeria requires a multifaceted solution.