College of forestry in Oyo, Plateau states to become varsities

The federal government plans to upgrade the colleges of forestry in Ibadan and Jos to degree-awarding institutions.

Lawal Balarabe, the minister of environment, spoke at the Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan, Oyo state on Thursday.

He was at the college for an event marking the institution’s 85th anniversary.

Balarabe said the college has produced experts who have played significant roles in policy-making over the last eight decades.

Represented by the conservator-general of National Park Services Ibrahim Goni, the minister said the government is committed to environmental protection and sustainable development.

He said the federal government looks to invest in programmes that support forestry education and research initiatives.

“This is why plans are ongoing to upgrade the Federal College of Forestry Ibadan and Jos into degree-awarding institutes,” he said.

“Together, we can develop policies that promote sustainable practices while ensuring and securing the livelihood of communities which depend on forestry.”

In his remarks, Bayo Lawal, the deputy governor of Oyo, pledged support to all federal establishments in the state.

Zacharia Yaduma, the DG of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), said the college was established in 1939 to train middle-level manpower.

Yaduma said the college had in over eight decades trained more than 10,000 students in forestry and agriculture-related courses.

“This manpower is for the forestry and agriculture sub-sector of the economy. Now, some of them are occupying high-ranking positions in international organisations,” he said.