The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), a key institution under Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has unveiled new departments and units as part of a strategic restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural research and extension services across the country. The announcement includes the creation of new departments and units alongside the appointment of distinguished professionals to lead these divisions.
The restructuring is designed to align NAERLS’ operations with emerging agricultural trend, challenges, technological advancements, and the nation’s food security objectives.
The new departments and units focus on critical areas in agricultural development, including climate-smart agriculture, digital extension services, and value-chain innovations. This transformation reflects NAERLS’ commitment to addressing evolving issues in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The newly established Departments and Units are:
- Department of Agric Economics
- Department of Agric. Extension
- Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
- Servicom Unit
- Gender Unit
These additions are intended to complement existing departments in providing agricultural stakeholders with cutting-edge solutions, strategies and policy options.
The institute also announced the appointment of highly experienced professionals to head these departments and units. These individuals were chosen based on their track records in agricultural research, extension work, and policy formulation. The new appointees are as listed below:
| NO. | DEPARTMENTS | NAMES OF HEAD DEPT |
| 1. | Crop and Forestry | Prof. A.A. Yakubu |
| 2. | Livestock And Fisheries | Dr. Buba Wahe |
| 3. | Agric. Economics | Prof. Abdulrahman Ali |
| 4. | Agric Engineering and Irrigation | Dr. Nura Alhaji Sale |
| 5. | Food Technology and Rural Home Economics | Amina Lawal Baidu (Mrs.) |
| 6. | Agric Extension | Prof. Salisu H. Kura |
| 7. | Agricultural Media | Dr. Abuokhai Anamomeh |
| 8. | E- Extension | Prof. Sani Usman |
| NO. | ZONAL OFFICES | NAMES OF ZONAL OFFICER |
| 1. | North West zone Kano | Dr. Jabiru A. Aliyu |
| 2. | North East Zone Maiduguri | Dr. M. Goni |
| 3. | North Central Zone Badegi | Dr. Mohammed Kolo Ndagana |
| 4. | South West Zone Ibadan | Dr. Mofoluso A. Adesina |
| 5. | South East Zone Umudike | Dr. Uzegbu O. Hyginus |
| 6. | South- South Zone Port-Harcourt | Dr. Onuegbu Obindah |
| NO. | UNITS | Name of Head of Unit |
| 1. | Skill Acquisition and Development Center | Engr. A. I. Abubakar |
| 2. | Farm Broadcast | Mal. Umar Aliyu |
| 3. | Adopted Village and Agric Research Outreach | Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi Yari |
| 4. | Information and Communication Technology (ICT) | Engr.Ezekiel B. Aregbe |
| 5. | Monitoring and Evaluation | Dr. Iash Musa Ahmed |
| 6. | Public Relations, Protocols and Advancement | Abdul-Aziz Haruna |
| 7. | Public Relations, Protocols and Advancement (Assistant) | Mrs. Patience G. Maiyaki |
| 8. | Data Record and documentation | Dr. Mohammed I. Hudu |
| 9. | Printing Press | Aliyu M. Gusau |
| 10. | Works and Maintenance Unit | Engr. Ibrahim I. Enesi |
| 11. | Procurement | Abdullahi Lawal Tunau |
| 12. | Servicom | Sa’adatu Bappah Ahmed |
| 13. | Gender | Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce H. Kagbu |
| 14. | Institute Library | Dr. Aminu Shehu Liman |
| 15. | Editorial Unit | Dr. Ismail F. Olawale |
| 17. | National Farmers Helpline Centre | Yahaya Musa Kayode |
| 18. | SIWES | Mal Abdulrahman Garba |
| 19. | Security Officer | Adamu Yusuf |
| 20. | Transport | Sanusi M. Abdullahi |
| NO. | CO-ORDINATOR | NAME OF COORDINATOR |
| 1. | Coordinator Farmer Field School (FFS) | Prof. Bidoli Thomas Duniya |
Speaking on the development, the Executive Director of NAERLS, Prof. Y. A. Sani, emphasized the importance of the restructuring. “This move is a testament to NAERLS’ dedication to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By bringing in fresh expertise and creating specialized departments, we are better equipped to meet the needs of farmers and stakeholders across the value chain.”
Prof. Sani added that the organization’s new structure aligns with global best practices and positions NAERLS as a leader in agricultural extension and research in Africa.
With these changes, NAERLS aims to bridge gaps between research, extension, and implementation. The focus on climate-smart agriculture and digital extension services underscores its commitment to sustainability and modern agricultural practices.
Farmers, cooperative societies, and agribusinesses are expected to benefit from more targeted support and innovative solutions, as the institution continues its mission to improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
The restructuring comes as NAERLS celebrates decades of pioneering agricultural transformation in Nigeria. Stakeholders are optimistic that this strategic move will further consolidate NAERLS’ role in fostering agricultural innovation and extension services across the nation.
