In a major push to strengthen Nigeria’s food security, the National Assembly has forged a strategic partnership with agricultural colleges and research institutions across the country.

The collaboration focuses on enhanced research, improved legislation, better funding, and practical innovation to transform the agricultural sector.

The Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, chaired by Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), announced the partnership ahead of the maiden National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions.

The two-day event, themed “Unfolding the Potential of Agricultural Colleges and Institutions through Collaboration and Innovation to Enhance Food Security and Job Creation,” is scheduled for May 12–14, 2026, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Senator Alli emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between farmers and research institutions.

He noted that many breakthroughs by Nigerian researchers including improved varieties of cassava, cocoa, and other crops have not reached smallholder farmers, contributing to declining productivity despite the country’s agricultural potential.

Senator Alli highlighted historical lessons, such as Malaysia’s rise in palm oil production after obtaining seedlings from Nigeria, stressing the need for Nigeria to reclaim its leadership in agriculture.

The summit will convene over 28 agricultural institutions, international development partners, embassies, policymakers, and stakeholders. It also aims to create jobs for youths and women through mechanized farming, reduce post-harvest losses with technologies like solar-powered dryers, and improve market access.

Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Professor Mohammed Atanda, described the initiative as timely and called for a stronger legislative framework to support research institutions.

Acting Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Dr. Adedeji Rasheed, urged greater private sector involvement in funding research, noting that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility.

Professor Oluwatosin Gabriel of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) affirmed that Nigeria has the expertise to achieve food sufficiency with the right policies, funding, and coordination between federal and state governments.

This partnership forms part of broader National Assembly efforts to reposition agriculture as a driver of economic diversification, rural development, and poverty reduction.

Observers see the Ibadan summit as a critical step toward turning Nigeria’s agricultural institutions into innovation hubs capable of delivering sustainable food security.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has highlighted a remarkable upward trend in top Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) performances over the past 14 years, with peak scores rising from 299 in the early 2010s to a record 374 (and claims up to 375) in recent cycles.

This progression reflects improving preparation, better access to resources, and the competitive drive among Nigerian students aspiring for tertiary education, particularly in high-demand fields like Medicine, Engineering, and Sciences.

Key Highlights Across the Years:

• 2013 & 2014: The highest scores stood at 299, achieved by Olise Israel Chukwunalu (2013) and Onomejoh Princewill (2014). These marked the baseline in the early CBT era.
• 2015: Ilukwe Lottachukwu Geraldine led with 332.
• 2016: A tie at 359 between Akenbor Adesuwa Osarugue and Anonye Victory Emenike.
• 2017: Akingbulugbe Precious Ayomide scored 353.
• 2018: Galadima Israel Zakari topped with 364.
• 2019: Ezeunala Ekene Franklin achieved 347.
• 2020: Maduafokwa Egoagwuagwu Agnes set a strong benchmark with 365.
• 2021: Monwuba Chibuzo Chibuikem scored 358.
• 2022: Adebayo Eyimofe Oluwatofunmi reached 362.
• 2023: Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere posted 360.
• 2024: A three-way tie at 367 — Olowu Joseph Oluwasijibomi, Alayande David, and Orukpe Joel Ehijele.
• 2025: JAMB reported the highest score in over a decade at 374 (with one unconfirmed or later-adjusted claim of 375 by Okeke Chinedu Christian; other top performers included scores of 374 and 373).
• 2026: Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin (also referred to as Owoeye Jesudunsin), an Ekiti State indigene who sat the exam in Ogun State, emerged as the top scorer with 372. She aims to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has repeatedly noted these high performances even amid broader challenges like result glitches in some years, crediting dedicated candidates and improved study tools.

Trends and Context

Top scorers frequently target competitive courses such as Medicine and various Engineering disciplines at institutions like UNILAG. Many top performers come from strong tutorial centers and demonstrate exceptional subject mastery, often scoring 90+ in core sciences.

While the absolute highest has climbed significantly since 2013, JAMB continues to emphasize that UTME is just one factor in admission, alongside O’Level results and other criteria.

These outstanding achievements continue to inspire millions of Nigerian students, proving that excellence in UTME remains attainable with determination and proper preparation. As the examination evolves, future candidates are expected to push the boundaries even further.

The federal government has officially handed over the construction of a brand-new Carter Bridge in Lagos to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said that the decision to reconstruct the bridge became necessary after years of alarming structural investigations revealed worsening defects beneath both the Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge.

According to the minister, investigations into the underwater structural elements of the bridges began as far back as 2013, with another assessment carried out in 2019.

The reports, he said, showed that the defects were increasing at what experts described as “geometrical progression.”

Experts, according to him, advised that repairing the Carter Bridge would cost almost twice the amount required to build a completely new structure. Following detailed technical analysis, the federal government, he said, approved the construction of a new modern bridge.