By Hassan Ibrahim
Professor Nafiu Abdu has called for urgent and increased government investment in soil research, modern laboratories and soil information systems, warning that Nigeria’s food security, environmental sustainability and climate resilience are at risk if the nation fails to properly manage its soil resources.
Professor Nafiu made the call during his inaugural lecture held at the Yusuf Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Professor Nafiu Abdu identified declining soil fertility, soil degradation, erosion, environmental contamination, inadequate access to soil-testing services, weak links between scientific research and policymaking, and climate pressures as major challenges confronting Nigeria’s soil resources.
He stressed that addressing the challenges required coordinated national action involving researchers, universities, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and farmers, while urging policymakers to pay greater attention to scientific findings when formulating policies on agriculture, land management and environmental protection.
According to him, the future of soil chemistry research in Nigeria should focus on digital soil mapping, precision nutrient management, climate-smart soil management, monitoring of emerging contaminants, soil health monitoring, and the development of a circular bioeconomy in which agricultural waste could be converted into useful products such as fertiliser.
Professor Nafiu Abdu also advocated improved post-harvest recovery and recycling, stronger soil extension services, soil conservation programmes and human-capacity development, stressing that sustainability must become a national priority.
He expressed concern over the state of research funding in Nigeria, describing it as almost non-existent and warning that no country could achieve meaningful scientific and technological development without adequate investment in research.
The professor called on the government to provide researchers with modern laboratories, appropriate equipment and adequate funding to create an enabling environment for scientific research and innovation.
He explained that researchers were sometimes questioned about the reliability of their findings because they were forced to conduct experiments with outdated equipment, some of which had already been abandoned in developed countries decades ago.
Professor Nafiu Abdu further advocated the establishment of accessible soil information systems that would enable farmers, even in remote communities, to obtain information about their soil resources through mobile devices without travelling long distances to access soil-testing services.
He said stronger links between scientific research and public policy were also necessary, noting that policymakers should take into account research findings generated by scientists before formulating policies affecting agriculture, land management and environmental protection.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Bello Sabo, said scientists have responsibilities beyond laboratories and academic publications, stressing that researchers must contribute practical solutions to challenges facing humanity.
He said the future of food security, environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Africa would depend substantially on how effectively the continent manages its soil resources.
The theme of the inaugural lecture, “From Soil Chemistry to Sustainable Land Management: Bridging Environmental Quality, Nutrient Dynamics and Agricultural Resilience in Nigeria,” was attended by academics, scholars, students, families, well-wishers and other members of the community.
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