Benin City — Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law a bill renaming and restructuring the state’s School of Agriculture as part of efforts to align agricultural education with international best practices.
The legislation, recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly, changes the institution’s name from the Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to the Edo State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
Governor Okpebholo signed the bill during a courtesy visit by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, at the Government House in Benin City.
Under the new law, the college will operate across three specialised campuses. The Iguoriakhi campus will serve as the main campus with a focus on agricultural technology, while the Uromi campus will specialise in forestry and the Agenebode campus will concentrate on aquaculture.
Speaking before the governor assented to the bill, Agbebaku said the amendment was designed to position the institution in line with global best practices and strengthen practical, science-driven agricultural education.
According to the Speaker, the restructuring will equip students with innovative and hands-on agricultural skills needed to boost food production and enhance food security.
“The House has passed the College of Agriculture bill to reflect the realities of modern agriculture,” Agbebaku said.
“Agriculture has become science-driven. We amended the law to rename the institution as the Edo State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology to reflect this transformation and better prepare students for the future.”
In his remarks, Governor Okpebholo described the signing of the bill as a milestone for both the institution and Edo State, expressing confidence that the reforms would improve the quality of agricultural education and contribute to the state’s economic development.
He said the amended law would enhance students’ capacity and prepare them to meet emerging challenges in the agricultural sector, particularly at a time when states are being encouraged to strengthen local food production.
The governor added that his administration aims to increase food sufficiency by producing a greater proportion of the food consumed in the state while leveraging agriculture to boost internally generated revenue.
According to him, the law will also create employment opportunities for young people, particularly in livestock production and agricultural husbandry, by equipping them with practical skills in breeding, animal care and modern farming practices.
