War Against Hunger: Varsity Invests N20m, Clears 16 Hectares for Cassava, Maize Production

Boniface Okoro in Umuahia

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) has unveiled a N20 million cassava and maize production farm project across 16 hectares as the university’s frontline response to food insecurity in the Southeast.

Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, said the farm project was aimed at “dismantling hunger,” while striving to achieve the university’s mandate by addressing food insecurity.

Giving stewardship of her first 100 days in office at her Conference Room, Prof. Akanwa listed her other achievements since her inauguration on March 1, 2026 as the 7th and first female Vice Chancellor of MOUAU to include revival of the university radio station and overhauling the institution’s security apparatchik.

She said she approved separate requests for 10 hectares and six hectares of land by the Centre for Excellence in Root Crop Research and Development (CERCORD) and the University Farms for massive cassava cultivation.

“As a federal university of agriculture, we must play the key role to dismantle the mounting trends of hunger, acute food insecurity and malnutrition in the host communities and beyond,” Prof. Akanwa said.

The VC said the farms would boost food crop production, make food products available at affordable prices and create jobs for youths in the host communities while increasing the university’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Plans are also underway for value-chain addition to produce more cassava-based products.

Prof. Akanwa revealed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has proposed donating tractors to MOUAU.

“The agricultural tractors will catalyze large-scale cultivation of hectares of land for intensive food production to feed the teeming population of people in South east Nigeria,” she said, adding the machines will also train students on practical courses and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme.

Other wins in 100 days, according to the VC are reviving the moribund AGRI VOICE 106.9 FM of the university to educate farmers and spark youth interest in agriculture; restructuring campus security architecture which has curbed burglary and nipped a potential cult clash on campus in the bud; tackling erosion in host communities; and prioritizing staff and student welfare while pushing to improve MOUAU’s rankings globally.

“My administration must do things differently to return utmost safety and serenity to the university,” she assured.

Reflecting on the past 100 days, she said she focused on “consolidation, innovation and sustainability;” as well as strengthening the academic calendar, streamlining ethical procedures, and fortifying the system.