The prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in collaboration with Aarhus University (AU) and other partner institutions, has been awarded a DANIDA grant, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark. This milestone marks the first time the grant has been awarded to an institution in Nigeria, a testament to the university’s dedication to advancing agricultural research and development.

The awarded project, titled “Enhancing Production of Locally Adapted, Climate Resilient Underutilized Crops,” aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The initiative focuses on facilitating the development, production, and distribution of high-quality seeds for three underutilized indigenous vegetables—Celosia, Jute leaf, and African eggplant—and one legume, Bambara groundnut. The project aims to establish community-based seed production hubs and seed quality mechanisms, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds to farmers over a four-year period. Additionally, four Ph.D. students will receive training under the Seed Science and Technology Programme of the Department of Crop Production and Protection at OAU.

The partnership instittions are Aarhus University (AU), Denmark (Lead Institution), First Technical University (Tech_U), Ibadan, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Abuja and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.

From Monday, June 17th to Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, the Obafemi Awolowo University hosted the DANIDA Project Team led by Dr. Fiona Hay, Project Coordinator and President of the International Society for Seed Science. The visit involved a strategic planning meeting, facility assessment, and interaction with the selected Ph.D. students.

On Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, the DANIDA Project Team paid a courtesy visit to the Central Office of Research at OAU and to the Vice Chancellor. The visit aimed to strengthen institutional ties, discuss the project’s strategic importance, and explore avenues for collaborative research and development. Dr. Fiona Hay provided an insightful presentation on the project’s objectives, expected outcomes, and the crucial role of each partner institution. She emphasized the significance of developing climate-resilient crops to enhance food security in Nigeria and beyond.