Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria – In a bold shift towards experiential learning and sustainable development, the management of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has introduced a university-wide compulsory course titled AGR 200: Farm Practice (2 Units) for all 200-level students — regardless of faculty or discipline.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was approved by the university’s Vice-Chancellor and is aimed at embedding agricultural literacy and practical skills into the academic framework of the institution.
A Hands-On Approach to Academic Reform
According to an internal memo obtained by Nigeria Education News, all 200-level students are now required to pay for the Farm Practical Manual/Workbook via their student portal. The workbook, which serves as a guide and record for the course, is compulsory for participation. Students have been given a strict deadline of Sunday midnight to complete payment and registration or risk being locked out of the portal — an action that could delay academic progress.
To cushion the impact on students who had already registered their courses before AGR 200 was uploaded to the system, the Practical Management Team (PMT) has introduced an automatic enrollment mechanism. Once a valid payment receipt for the workbook is presented, such students will be manually enrolled without penalty.
Course Structure and Location
The Farm Practice sessions will begin Monday, running once weekly from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. A detailed timetable indicating faculty-specific days will be communicated through official student channels in the coming days.
Students are to report to the designated farm site, located near the 2nd gate by the College of Medicine along Irasa Road, equipped with a cutlass and hoe. The university emphasized the importance of punctuality and preparedness, underscoring the course’s focus on discipline, responsibility, and skill acquisition.
A Graduation Requirement
Authorities have clarified that AGR 200 will carry the same weight as General Studies (GST) courses, meaning students must pass it to graduate. “This is not an elective,” a senior administrative official stated. “It is a graduation requirement across the board, whether you are studying Law, Engineering, Medicine, or Theatre Arts.”
Faculty officers, course advisers, and student leaders have been tasked with ensuring widespread dissemination of the information to avoid issues of non-compliance or last-minute confusion.
Driving a Vision of Self-Reliance and Practical Education
This strategic shift signals EKSU’s growing commitment to producing well-rounded graduates, equipped not just with theoretical knowledge, but with practical skills that align with national development goals. It also reflects a broader vision in Nigerian higher education to revive agriculture as a viable career path, promote food security, and instill entrepreneurial thinking among youths.
“The aim is to reintroduce students to the land — the most honest source of wealth,” said an academic familiar with the policy. “Whether or not they end up in the agricultural sector, the experience builds character, self-reliance, and a deeper appreciation of sustainability.”
Final Word
As EKSU leads this bold reform, it joins a small but growing number of Nigerian institutions prioritizing practical immersion as a complement to classroom learning. If well implemented, AGR 200 may become a model for other universities seeking to balance academic rigor with real-world relevance.
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