Tinubu Support Group Proposes Transformation Of Obubra Agric College To Federal University, Names Institution After President

A major push for the expansion of tertiary education and agricultural transformation in Cross River State has been unveiled, with a proposal for the upscaling and conversion of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Obubra (CAST-Obubra) into a full-fledged Federal University.

The proposal, powered by the National Patriotic Front For Tinubu [NPFFT], seeks Federal Government approval for the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Obubra, Cross River State (BAT-FUASTO).

According to the proposal document sighted by News, the proposed university will bear the motto: Knowledge • Agriculture • Innovation • Development and will be sited in Obubra Local Government Area, in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State.

The document was signed by the Director General of the NPFFT, Castro Ezama and the National Secretary, Hon. Musa Zubairu.

The Executive Summary of the proposal notes that BAT-FUASTO will be strategically positioned as a specialized institution focusing on agriculture, food security, agro-industrial development, science, technology, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship and rural development.

It states that the transformation will build upon the existing institutional foundation, physical assets, human resources, academic programmes and agricultural orientation of CAST-Obubra.

The proponents recalled that Obubra has a rich, long-standing association with agricultural education and has historically served as a critical hub for agricultural training in the region. They noted that in 2025, the Cross River State Government formally enacted the law establishing the State College of Agriculture in Obubra following its transition from the former University of Cross River State campus structure.

The college, which currently runs programmes across agricultural technology, agribusiness, horticulture, computer science, forestry, fisheries, animal production and agricultural extension, is now primed for elevation to a specialized university.

The proposal outlined six strategic imperatives for locating a Federal University of Agriculture in Obubra:

1. Food Security: To train high-level professionals in modern agriculture, mechanization, food processing, livestock, fisheries and forestry.

2. Agricultural Transformation: Accelerating transition from subsistence to commercial, technology-driven agriculture through precision agriculture, biotechnology, agro-processing and agribusiness value chains.

3. Youth Employment: Embedding enterprise development into the curriculum to produce graduate job creators.

4. Research and Innovation: Serving as a hub for applied research on agricultural and environmental challenges in the South-South and Nigeria at large.

5. Rural Development: Linking research directly with farmers and rural communities through extension services.

6. Strategic Location: Leveraging Obubra's rich agricultural landscape and central location for field research and community-engaged learning.

The proposed university is designed to commence with six core faculties, expandable upon NUC accreditation:

- Faculty of Agriculture: Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Economics, Extension, Animal Science, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry and Wildlife, Agribusiness Management.

- Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology: Agricultural Engineering, Farm Machinery and Mechanisation, Irrigation and Water Resources, Food and Bioprocess Engineering, Renewable Energy.

- Faculty of Science: Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science.

- Faculty of Engineering and Technology: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Computer, Environmental and Agricultural Engineering.

- Faculty of Environmental and Natural Resources:* Environmental Management, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Geography, Climate Studies.

- Faculty of Management and Entrepreneurship: Accounting, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management.

To drive innovation, the university will establish specialised Centres of Excellence including Centre for Food Security and Agricultural Innovation, Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture, Centre for Agro-Processing and Value Addition, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Development, Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Centre for Forestry, Biodiversity and Environmental Research, and Centre for Digital Agriculture deploying drones, AI, IoT and satellite data.

A defining pillar will be a large-scale Agricultural Research and Demonstration Farm covering crops such as cassava, rice, maize, yam, plantain, cocoa and oil palm, livestock including poultry, piggery, cattle, goat, fisheries, snail farming and beekeeping, as well as agroforestry.

The university will also adopt an *"Earn While You Learn"* philosophy where students launch ventures in agro-processing, digital agricultural services, precision equipment maintenance, food technology and supply chain logistics.

The physical development is planned in three phases: Phase I – Foundational Infrastructure (administrative complex, lecture theatres, library, ICT centre, hostels, laboratories, health centre); Phase II – Academic & Research Facilities (faculty complexes, engineering workshops, research farms, aquaculture facilities, mechanization centre); and Phase III – Advanced Facilities including postgraduate school, innovation hub, technology incubator, international conference centre and staff housing.

BAT-FUASTO will operate under standard Federal University governance – Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor, Senate, Congregation and Students' Representative Council. Existing qualified staff of CAST-Obubra will be screened and integrated per federal standards.

Funding will be diversified across federal budgetary allocations, TETFund interventions, research grants, PPPs, commercial farm revenue and endowments.

A 5-year transitional roadmap is proposed: Year 1 – Assessment & Planning and joint Federal/State Technical Committee; Year 2 – Legislative Framework, passage of Establishment Bill and Presidential Assent; Year 3 – Appointment of Council and principal officers and staff recruitment; Year 4 – Admission of pioneer students; Year 5 & Beyond – Postgraduate programmes, Centres of Excellence and international partnerships.

The proponents are praying the Federal Government to: 

1. Approve in principle the transformation into BAT-FUASTO; 

2. Direct the Federal Ministry of Education to conduct a feasibility assessment; 

3. Mandate the NUC to commence formal engagement; 

4. Support the drafting and passage of the Establishment Bill in the National Assembly; and 

5. Authorize capital funding and TETFund interventions.

They argued the university will expand access in Central Cross River, attract federal infrastructure investment to Obubra, boost regional agricultural output, create direct and indirect jobs, spur demand for housing, transport and hospitality, and ensure balanced socio-economic development across the state.

The proposal aligns with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, youth employment, technological innovation and economic diversification, the group said.