Overview and History of Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi

 
The Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi (FUAMB) is a relatively new and strategically placed specialised institution in Nigeria, dedicated to providing quality education and cutting-edge research in agriculture, science, technology and allied disciplines. Situated in Mubi in Adamawa State, FUAMB serves not only as an academic hub but also as a catalyst for regional development, particularly in the North-East geopolitical zone of the country. Bearing the distinctive character of a specialised agricultural university, FUAMB marries traditional agricultural practices with modern technological and scientific approaches — a combination that is vital for addressing key national challenges such as food security, sustainable farming, climate resilience and rural development. The establishment of the university responds to the growing recognition that agriculture is more than subsistence farming: it is a strategic engine of economic growth, innovation, and empowerment. In this sense, FUAMB positions itself as more than an educational institution: it is a transformational platform where students, faculty, researchers and communities converge to generate solutions. Beyond lecture halls, students engage in practical fieldwork, experimental farms, technology-labs and partnerships with industry and government, thus preparing graduates not just for jobs, but for leadership in agricultural innovation and rural development.

Given Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones and the global pressures on food production systems, the role of a specialised institution like FUAMB cannot be overstated. For potential students, researchers or partners, the university offers the promise of practical relevance, applied research, and a community of learners committed to impact. In short, FUAMB is designed to cultivate not just crops or livestock, but ideas, solutions and the next generation of agricultural thinkers.

##Official Website
The official website of the Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi is fuamb.edu.ngOn the website you will find details about admissions, academic programmes, faculties, research initiatives, news updates, application instructions and contact information for the institution. The website reflects the university’s commitment to openness, transparency and providing stakeholders with current information.

##Motto
FUAMB’s motto is “Agriculture – The Shield of Life” (sometimes rendered “the shield of life”). This motto captures the university’s vision: that agriculture is not merely an economic activity but a protective, foundational element of societal wellbeing — safeguarding food security, empowering livelihoods and preserving ecosystems. By framing agriculture as a “shield,” the institution emphasises its role in defence-against hunger, poverty and ecological fragility.

##Founder
The Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to the university’s “About Us” page, FUAMB was established by presidential approval dated 28 May 2023. 

##History
The journey of FUAMB is recent but strategically significant. The university’s founding document states it was established on 28 May 2023 by the federal government, making it one of the newer specialised agricultural universities in Nigeria. 

This creation can be seen as part of a national policy to expand the network of federal universities, with particular focus on the North-East geopolitical zone, which has historically been under-served in terms of higher-education infrastructure.

Even before full academic operations commenced, the regional government of Adamawa State and university stakeholders moved to provide strong support. For example, the Adamawa State Government pledged full support and collaboration with FUAMB for its take-off. 

In one of its earliest milestones, the university announced the commencement of first semester examinations for pioneer students of the 2024/2025 session. 

Importantly, in May 2025, the Federal Government announced plans to establish a Research Institute for Wheat Production and a Wheat & Livestock Farm at FUAMB, recognising the institution’s agricultural potential and regional relevance. 
Nigeria Education News

Given its agricultural focus, the establishment of FUAMB in Mubi taps into the agro-ecological strengths of the region and aims to train graduates who are both scientifically equipped and practically grounded. While still in its formative years, the university is already laying the groundwork for research partnerships, experimental farms, infrastructural development, and student enrolment.

In summary, the history of FUAMB tells a story of strategic planning, regional focus, federal commitment and an ambitious vision to leverage agriculture as a driver of education, innovation and community development.

##Chancellor
As of the available sources, the specific name of the Chancellor of FUAMB has not been publicly and reliably established in the standard sources consulted. The university website lists key officers such as the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council (Dr. Rukayya Abdulkareem Gurin, MNI) and the Vice Chancellor (Prof. Bitrus Dawi Tarfa) but does not clearly list a Chancellor. 

However, we can highlight the Vice Chancellor, who is the chief academic and administrative officer of the institution:
Prof. Bitrus Dawi Tarfa — He was formerly Assistant Director Research at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and has since taken on leadership at FUAMB, emphasising agricultural education, research and regional impact. 

##Accreditation and Recognition
Although FUAMB is newly established, it is officially recognised as a federal university owned by the Government of Nigeria. The university website states that it is a federal government-owned institution and that it is “recognised” as such. 

As a federal university, it falls under the supervision of the National Universities Commission (NUC), which is the regulatory body for universities in Nigeria.

Given that the institution is very recently established, detailed programme-by-programme accreditation data is scant, but its status as a federal institution and its inclusion in university lists point to legitimate recognition. Prospective students and partners should still check the NUC’s official database or the university’s announcements for the accreditation status of specific programmes. For example, the FAQ page on the official site affirms its recognition. 


##Academic Structure and Facilities
FUAMB offers a growing academic structure tailored to agriculture, science and technology. At this time the following can be highlighted:

Faculties and Schools – The university lists diverse faculties and schools focusing on agriculture and related disciplines, such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics & Extension, Crop Science, Food Science & Technology, Forestry & Wildlife Management, as well as Science/Technology disciplines

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes – FUAMB offers undergraduate B.Sc. degrees and is planning postgraduate options (PGD, M.Sc., Ph.D) in relevant areas. 

Modern laboratories, experimental farms and agri-technology support – The university emphasises “cutting-edge facilities” including modern labs, experimental farms and technology-driven classrooms. 

Industry-aligned curriculum & research partnerships – The academic programmes are designed to be industry-aligned, solving real-world agricultural challenges and utilising agri-tech, sustainability and innovation. 

Hands-on practical training and experimental farms – Given its agricultural focus, students engage in practical training, fieldwork, and experiments in crop, livestock and environmental contexts.

Student support facilities – The website mentions hostels, e-libraries, WiFi-enabled spaces and entrepreneurship training as part of the student support ecosystem. 

Together, these features reflect a commitment not only to theoretical teaching but also to practical, research-driven, impact-oriented education in agriculture and allied sciences.


##Campus Life and Facilities
Although FUAMB is still in the early stages of development, indications of campus life and infrastructure include:

A serene, secure campus environment: The university’s promotional material highlights a distraction-free learning environment with modern facilities and student support. 

Accommodation: Hostels are mentioned as part of the student accommodation offering.

E-library and digital infrastructure: The school underscores availability of e-libraries and WiFi-enabled spaces for students.

Experimental and demonstration farms: Given the agriculture focus, campus activities include supervised farms, fieldwork and research sites which serve as living labs for students and faculty.

Entrepreneurship training and student support: The university promotes entrepreneurship training alongside traditional academic programmes, preparing students for agribusiness roles and innovation.

Extracurricular and community engagement: While not yet fully detailed, the affiliation with regional development initiatives (e.g., the deployment of improved crop varieties in Adamawa State) provides students opportunities for community engagement, research outreach and practical impact.