Aliero town in Aliero Local Government Area, a vibrant onion farming hub in Kebbi State, is home to the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA). Located 46.5 km from the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, the university was established in December 2006 through Kebbi State Law No. 6. This initiative arose from the need for a state university to accommodate the growing number of qualified indigenes who could not gain admission into Nigerian universities due to limited capacity. Licenced as Nigeria’s 79th university, since its commencement in January 2008 with 404 students, KSUSTA has grown to host 8,813 students, including 8,466 undergraduates and 347 postgraduates.
Despite its expansion and academic diversity, KSUSTA’s Faculty of Agriculture has long struggled without a functional greenhouse, an essential facility for advanced agricultural research and education.
The then Vice-Chancellor Professor Bashir Ladan Aliero, highlighted the urgency of this infrastructure, emphasizing that a greenhouse would significantly enhance teaching quality and research capabilities. “This greenhouse is poised to become a critical asset in improving the university’s academic offerings and research output, ultimately benefiting the broader agricultural community,” he stated.
For years, the absence of a greenhouse forced faculty researchers to relocate their experiments to an orchard, significantly limiting their ability to conduct controlled agricultural studies. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Musa Augie, noted that this limitation hindered essential research on climate change adaptation, crop resilience, and soil health. Without a controlled environment, studies on disease resistance and modern agricultural practices were nearly impossible. Consequently, students in agriculture, botany, and biology programs missed critical hands-on learning opportunities, reducing their skill acquisition and employability in modern farming.
The challenge became even more pressing in November 2023 when an accreditation team visited KSUSTA and raised concerns over the faculty’s lack of a greenhouse. Professor Maikasuwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), remarked, “You cannot have a standard Faculty of Agriculture without a functional greenhouse.” The urgency for a solution was clear.
Recognizing the pivotal role of a greenhouse in agricultural research and education, the ACReSAL Project, a World Bank project through the Kebbi State Government (Kebbi State Project Management Unit – SPMU) took the initiative to establish a state-of-the-art greenhouse at KSUSTA. The project commenced in September 2024 and according to the DVC Academic, it is set to be one of the largest and most modern greenhouse facilities across universities in Nigeria.
As the project nears completion, its impact is already evident. The new greenhouse will enable year-round agricultural experiments, allowing researchers and students to study crop adaptation, climate resilience, and pest control in a controlled environment. Hands-on training in modern farming techniques will equip students with practical skills, increasing their employability and contributions to sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the greenhouse will provide opportunities for revenue generation through the production and sale of seedlings and organic vegetables, supporting further research and student-led projects shared the ACReSAL State Project Coordinator (SPC), Ahmad Isa-Tela.
Sustainability is a key focus of the initiative. KSUSTA aims to strengthen collaborations with other institutions and the Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure effective utilization of the facility. Professor Saadu Umar, DVC Research and Innovation, emphasized that the university has the technical expertise to manage and sustain the greenhouse efficiently.
Looking ahead, the ACReSAL project envisions this initiative as a stepping stone towards enhancing research, education, and sustainability in agriculture. In a nation striving for food security, institutional support projects like the establishment of this greenhouse will play a crucial role in boosting agricultural research and production, making Nigeria more resilient.
Overall, the establishment of a functional greenhouse at KSUSTA marks a significant milestone in agricultural education and research. It sets the university on a path of excellence in agriculture, environmental science, and sustainability, ensuring that research and innovation thrive while contributing to food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. The greenhouse is not just a facility; it is a gateway to knowledge, innovation, and a more sustainable future for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
ACReSAL!
“…greening the environment, saving lives”
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