Uniben Faculty of Agriculture

RATIONALE FOR SETTING UP THE FACULTY

The ecological region in which the University of Benin is situated, and in particular Edo and Delta States, is a region of intensive agricultural, forestry and fisheries activities. 

This region consists of extensive mangrove swamps in the Delta where numerous rivers ramify and drain into the Atlantic Ocean, a tropical high forest zone in the middle belt and low forest and savanna regions towards the north around Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.  The entire environment is characterized by intensive farming and fishing activities by individuals, private companies and government agencies.  Edo and Delta States are pre-eminent in the entire country in the production of food crops such as yams, cassava, cocoyam, plantains, bananas, etc.  In addition, cash crops such as rubber, oil palm, cocoa and timber are produced extensively in Edo and Delta States.  Edo and Delta States are the foremost producers of rubber in the entire country.

Historically, this area was among the first areas in which silviculture was developed during the colonial days.  The Taungya system of farming, which is a symbiosis of agriculture and forestry, was first started in Sopkonba, and has since spread to other parts of the country and continues to be important in our agricultural system.  Sokponba continues to remain a centre for International Research in Forestry.  Without doubt, Edo and Delta States are the centre of the forest industry in Nigeria.  For instance, the oldest wood processing and utilization centre in the country, African Timber and Plywood (A.T.& P), is in Sapele, Delta state. 

The ecological region under consideration is adjacent to the Nigerian coastline where major fishing industries thrives.  Inland freshwater also abounds and a lot of freshwater fishing activities go on.  Aviara Fish Farm in Isoko L.G.A. is the largest farm in Nigeria and indeed in West Africa.  In addition, there are over 200 hectares of fish ponds in the states. Also, even now, a big cattle, sheep and goat market (especially of Aduwawa, Eyaen) exist in the city.  There is also Okomu Oil Palm, Presco Oil, Okomu National Park, Ejemai Poultry Farms, Songhai Farms, Amukpe among others in the zone. 

In order to help government maximize the utilization of these resources, the output of more manpower in the various areas of agriculture is extremely important for research and production.  For example, it has been estimated that the Fisheries sector alone would require at least 100 graduates every year for the next decade in order to effectively exploit the fisheries resources in Nigeria Rivers.  Lakes and coastal waters.  The Forestry and Wildlife and general agriculture sectors are similarly deficient in trained personnel.

In the light of the foregoing and considering the fact that there was no higher institution awarding degrees in Agriculture, and after the closure of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, there was a need to establish a Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Benin, within this zone of intensive agricultural, forestry and fisheries activities.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE FACULTY

 The need to transform the very rich and diverse Agricultural and Natural resources of our catchments zone within the South-south region, in particular, and the nation in general, for sustainable socioeconomic development, formed the first basis of the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture in 1983.  Built within this philosophy is the additional goal of developing the human capacity to undertake the development process of economic transformation.  These are the driving forces behind the activities of the Faculty.

 The 21^st century has now been predicted to be the century of “Knowledge” particularly as it relates to Science and Technology applied to Agriculture, Information Technology and Industrialization.  The challenge of Nigeria today and the 21^st century is therefore the transformation of its educational, science and technology systems, which must be anchored in its traditions and values; and to eradicate poverty and improve quality of life by actively responding to the basic needs of food security, amongst others.

 The Faculty has, as its objective, the training of production oriented graduates in the various areas of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  It is expected that many of such graduates shall take up Agriculture as a career when they graduate from the University.  The avenues available for agriculture graduates in this country are Research Institutes, Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government parastatals, teaching, private sectors, including banks, oil companies and other allied agribusinesses.  Whilst most of the graduates produced by existing Faculties of Agriculture have gone into research and the public sector, very few seem to have become full-time farmers.  It is becoming increasingly clear that ‘farming’ as a business needs to be professionalized, in order to emphasized its importance in the efforts of this country for self-sufficiency in food and fibre production.  Hence the Faculty’s emphasis on the training of production-oriented graduates. However, others like Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) and Nigerian Veterinary Medical Council (NVMC), are already in place.

DEPARTMENTS IN THE FACULTY

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services (AEE)

Department of Animal Science (ANS)

Department of Crop Science (CRS)

Department of Soil Science (SOS)

Department of Forestry & Wildlife (FOW)

Department of Fisheries (FIS)

Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Faculty offers part-time and full-time courses at diploma undergraduate and post-graduate levels.  The pioneering students of the Faculty graduated during the 1987/88 Academic Session.

NOTE: The University Matriculation Examination (UME) subjects are:

Use of English

Chemistry

Biology or Agricultural Science

Mathematics or Physics

Five-Year Full-Time Degree Programme

Candidates seeking admission into this programme should possess any of the following qualifications:

At least five Ordinary Level Credit passes in WAEC, SSCE/GCE, NECO SSCE or any of their recognized equivalents at not more than two sittings.  The subjects should include the following: English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and any other subject chosen from Physics, Geography, Economics, Statistics and, Further Mathematics.  In all cases, at least a pass in Physics is required.  A pass in Biology is required for candidates with a credit pass in Agricultural Science.

Four-Year Full-Time Degree Programme

In addition to above, candidates who possess any of the following qualifications may be considered for admission:

At least, two Advanced Level passes at the General Certificates of Education (GCE) or the Higher School Certificate (HSC), or any of their recognized equivalent in Chemistry and any one of the following: Biology/Agricultural Science, Physics. Geography, Economics, Zoology, Botany and Mathematics.

At least, a merit level pass (with effect from 2007/2008 session) in the University of Benin Diploma in any of the following:

Agricultural Economics (DAE)

Agricultural Extension and Cooperatives (DAEC)

Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Management (DFFW)

Geology (DIG)

Advanced Microbiology (DAM)

Food and Brewing Science (DFBS)

Science Laboratory Technology (DSLT)

Diploma from other recognized Universities

with, at least, an upper credit level pass in the subject areas above

The Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE) with at least a credit level pass in any of Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, from a recognized College of Education.  In addition, candidates should have, at least, an overall merit level pass.

A Higher National Diploma (HND) with, at least, a lower credit level pass in Agricultural Science, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife from a recognized institution.

200 Level Direct Entry

In addition to satisfying the matriculation requirements as stated for candidates seeking admission into the programme, candidates shall be required to:

obtain credit passes at the Advanced level GCE or NCE/HND in Chemistry and at least one of the following; Biology, Zoology, Botany, Agricultural Science, Physics, Geography, Economics or Mathematics.

Have obtained OND at approved Agricultural, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Schools with at least credit passes in addition to UME requirements.

Have NCE (Agricultural Science) from a recognized College of Education, OND or HND from a recognized College of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife with at least a credit pass. iv. Have HND or OND (Zoology, Botany or Biology).

            

DURATION FOR DEGREE COURSES

The maximum number of years allowed for the 5 years’ course is 8 (Eight) Academic sessions and for the 4 years’ courses 6 (Six) Academic Sessions.  Anything beyond the stipulated, such students is deemed to over stayed and will not be entitled to be awarded any degree.

SOME PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION TO JOIN ON GRADUATION

These are some of the professional organization which students of the Faculty can join on graduation.  Some are area of generalization specific.   Students on always contact their HODs or Course Advisers for details.

Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN)

Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economics (NAAE)

Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN)

African Farm Management Association (AFMA)

Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON)

Nigerian Rural Sociology Association (NRSA)

Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP)

Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN)

Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS)

Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST)

Nigerian Society for Plant Protection (NSPP)

Nigerian Society of Botany (NSB)

Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON)

Nigerian Association of Aquatic Sciences (NAAS)

Genetic Society of Nigeria (GSN)

Entomological Society of Nigeria (ESN)

Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON)

Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN)

Nigeria Field Society (NFS)

Forestry Association of Nigeria FAN)

Wildlife Society of Nigeria (WSN)

Ecological Society of Nigeria (ESN)

Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN)