2 min read

AUST and AFFAT-AFRICA Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Agricultural Innovation

AUST and AFFAT-AFRICA Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Agricultural Innovation

Abuja, Nigeria – June 23, 2025 — The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Galadimawa, Abuja, has formalized a ground-breaking partnership with the Association of Farmers for Agricultural Transformation (AFFAT-AFRICA) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at driving agricultural innovation and professional development across Africa.

The event, which was held at Boardroom 2, Mandela Hall at the AUST’s campus, marked the beginning of a strategic collaboration under AUSTInspire’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiative.

The MoU sets the foundation for executive certificate programs focused on agriculture, infrastructural development and professional capacity-building tailored for practitioners and industry professionals.

Present at the signing were key representatives from both institutions, including Professor Peter Azikiwe Onwualu, FAS President of AUST; Dr. Prisca Nneka Onuoha, CPD Coordinator; Mrs Nsima Joseph , Students Affairs Coordinator and Mr. Emmanuel Ifeanyi Okwunwanne from the CPD office.

The AFFAT-AFRICA delegation was led by its President, Ambassador Akin Davis Tinuala and he was joined at the MoU signing event by Heather-Ronke Akanni, Country Director of the African Business Roundtable (France) and AFFAT Board Member and Mr. Stephen Miti Isioma, Service Innovation Desk Officer.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tinuala emphasized AFFAT-AFRICA’s mission to revolutionize agriculture through the integration of technology and innovation, addressing the continent’s food insecurity challenges.

He described the collaboration with AUST as timely and necessary.

In his response, the AUST President, Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu described the partnership as a strategic alignment with AUST’s tripartite mandate of teaching, research, and community development.

He underlined the unique role of AUSTInspire in bridging the academia and the industry through innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This MoU isn’t just a document; it’s a call to action as Implementation is key,” he stressed.

He proposed the development of a specialized course to help partners understand and execute MoU commitments better.

Under the agreement, AUST will provide infrastructure, ICT support, curriculum approval, and certification services, while AFFAT-AFRICA will be responsible for curriculum development, expert facilitation, and program logistics.

Both parties agreed to a shared revenue model and joint marketing strategies, with quarterly reviews to monitor progress.

The MoU was officially signed after presentations and discussions, with both parties exchanging warm handshakes to signal the beginning of what is expected to be a transformative partnership for agricultural education and practice in Africa.

‌‌The collaboration is anticipated to catalyze a new wave of professional training that integrates modern science and technology into agricultural systems, contributing to economic growth and food security across the continent.

‌‌