The Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Association, Ekiti State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government to implement a more effective monitoring and evaluation system for funds allocated to the agricultural sector. The association emphasized that while significant investments are being made in agriculture, proper oversight is necessary to ensure that the resources reach genuine farmers and contribute meaningfully to food security and economic development.
The Chairman of the association, Adetunji Aribasoye, made this appeal during a press conference ahead of the association’s annual lecture and award ceremony scheduled for March 31, 2025. He acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural development, citing initiatives such as the procurement of 2,000 tractors for free distribution to farmers and various interventions under the National Agricultural Development Fund. However, he stressed that without rigorous monitoring, these efforts could fail to yield the desired impact.
“I know the Federal Government is investing heavily in agriculture, but I urge them to establish a strong monitoring and evaluation process. Every Kobo spent must be accounted for to ensure quality service delivery,” Aribasoye said. “This will enable genuine farmers and young people interested in agriculture to access these opportunities. Only through a serious and transparent monitoring process can this goal be achieved.”
Beyond advocating for stronger oversight, the alumni association has also made notable contributions to agricultural development in Ekiti State. Since its inauguration in September 2023, the association has achieved several milestones, including expanding its membership, establishing a multipurpose cooperative society—which generated over ₦11 million in its first three months—and initiating plans to build chalets at the Alumni Village to enhance infrastructure development.
As part of efforts to boost food security, Aribasoye revealed that the university had allocated 10 hectares of land to the alumni association for farming, with government support in land preparation. “The land was given to interested members for cultivating maize, cassava, and other food crops,” he explained.
In addition, EKSU has partnered with the state government and an agricultural firm to create a farming community within the university. As part of this initiative, 5,000 hectares of land have been allocated, with each agriculture student receiving an acre to cultivate. The students are provided with inputs, and their produce is purchased after harvest, ensuring financial support for their efforts. The university is also incorporating technology into agricultural processes to enhance productivity and food security in Ekiti State.
Speaking on the association’s upcoming annual lecture, Aribasoye noted that it would focus on “Navigating the Harsh Economic Downturn: Interrogating the Interplay of Food Security, Agricultural Processes, and Citizen Welfare.” The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olawumi Fapohunda, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at EKSU. Meanwhile, the keynote address, titled “Engaging the Alumni Community for Civic Engagement: Bridging the Gap Between Higher Education, Political Participation, and Community Security for Shared Prosperity,” will be presented by the Global President of the EKSU Alumni Association, Engr. Dipo Bamisaye.
The event will also feature an awards ceremony recognizing distinguished individuals for their contributions to the university, the alumni association, and society at large. Among those to be honored are Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who will receive the Leadership and Good Governance Award, EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, and the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade.
Aribasoye encouraged all alumni members to support and attend the event, emphasizing that their participation would reaffirm their commitment to the advancement of EKSU’s values and vision.