The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is gearing up to host the prestigious Agroween Recognition Awards (ARA Awards) in partnership with the Intergenerational Rescue Foundation Inc. (IRF). This collaborative event marks a significant step toward encouraging student participation in agriculture and addressing food security challenges in Nigeria.
Event Details and Objectives
The Agroween 2025 festival is scheduled for November 25, 2025, at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UNILAG, running from 9am to 5pm. According to Mrs Bimbola Aghahowa, Chairperson of IRF and convener of Agroween, the event is designed as a dynamic festival celebrating innovation and sustainability in food, agriculture, and community development.
Under the theme "Sowing Seeds of Innovation," the gathering will bring together leaders from academia, agribusiness, food technology, and community development sectors. The primary goal is to foster dialogue, collaboration, and creative solutions for sustainable food systems across Nigeria.
Honoring Agricultural Excellence
The highlight of the event will be the ARA Awards ceremony, which will recognize outstanding individuals making significant contributions to agricultural innovation and social impact. Distinguished honorees include prominent figures such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Desmond Majekodunmi, Mrs Funke Egbemode, Mr Tony Elemelu, and several esteemed professors including Prof. Yile Adeleya and Prof. Funlola Oguwabi.
Mrs Aghahowa emphasized that Agroween aims to combat food insecurity through sustainable agriculture practices, research initiatives, and community sustainability projects, all driven by rewards and gratitude. She highlighted that this year's theme strongly emphasizes food security, sustainable agriculture, and community-driven solutions that align with their 'Food Not For Sale' theory.
Addressing Agricultural Literacy
Professor Samuel Adejoh, Head of the Department of Social Work at UNILAG, provided crucial insight into one of the event's fundamental purposes. He explained that Agroween 2025 seeks to counter widespread agricultural illiteracy among students and prepare them to make informed decisions as consumers and citizens.
"Agricultural literacy involves possessing knowledge and understanding of the food and fibre system," Professor Adejoh stated. "This includes comprehending its history, economic, social, and environmental significance, along with production, processing, marketing, public policies, and global importance."
The professor further warned that adults lacking agricultural knowledge may make poor, misinformed decisions about political candidates, agricultural policy, and food choices in their households. He stressed that agricultural literacy fundamentally shapes public actions and attitudes toward agriculture, ultimately affecting national and global economic development.
The event will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation showcasing, and networking among stakeholders in agriculture and food security sectors. This initiative represents a crucial step toward building a more agriculturally literate generation capable of driving sustainable development in Nigeria's crucial agricultural sector.
