49th Soil Science Conference Opens In Kano, Focuses On National Food Security
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The 49th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) has kicked off in Kano on Monday with a focus on national food security.
The society is hosting the conference in collaboration with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) of the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The five-day conference has the theme: “Promoting Soil Health and Resilience Through Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development” and with a major focus on National Food Security, Soil Sciences Research and science Innovative development.
The high-level gathering brings together scientists, researchers, academics, government officials, industry players and development partners to address critical issues around soil management, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability, with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari expected to be in attendance.
Addressing a press conference at the event, the President of the society and the Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture(BUK), Prof. Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, highlighted the growing synergy between research institutions and government policy.
Jibrin commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its recent establishment of a Soil Health Task Team, which he said demonstrates a renewed national commitment to data-driven agricultural development.
“The Minister is currently spearheading an ambitious project to map soils across Nigeria and establish a centralized, accessible soil information database. This will serve farmers the same way a medical record supports clinical decisions, interventions will be site-specific and knowledge-based,” he said.
He emphasized the inclusion of both the CDA and SSSN in the technical implementation committee of the project, showcasing the collaborative efforts being made to ensure its success.
The president disclosed that over 350 abstracts have been submitted for presentation at the conference, covering five major sub-themes: Land Resource Assessment and Management; Soil Health and Nutrient Management; Soil Physics and Conservation; Capacity Building and Extension; and Advances in Soil Research.
He commended the support of various partners including OCP Fertilizer, which he said had consistently backed the society’s activities, particularly in empowering young scientists and promoting research in specialty fertilizers.
Other supporters he said,include Soil Values, Extension Africa, Ramasys, and institutions such as Sierra Leone University, Northwest University, and the Federal College of Agricultural Produce.
In his remarks, Prof. Muhammad Auwalu Hussain, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, BUK, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting academic excellence and innovation.
Hussain praised the CDA’s transformation into one of the top centers of excellence in Africa, attributing much of its success to winning competitive international grants, particularly from the World Bank.
“Bayero University is proud to host this important event.The University is ranked among the top five in Nigeria, and agriculture remains one of its most distinguished faculties,” he said.
He said the university is honoured to welcome participants from across Nigeria and Africa, expressing optimism that the conference would yield groundbreaking research and also foster lasting collaborations.
As part of the event, the Society will bestow honorary fellowships on two distinguished Nigerians, including the Governor of Borno State, Prof.Umara Zulum,in recognition of their significant contributions to agriculture and soil science.
The conference continues through Friday, April 11, 2025, with scientific sessions, exhibitions, networking events, and policy dialogues expected to shape the future of soil health and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria and beyond.
