V.C announces registration of UNIPORT into African Agribusiness Incubators Network

By Samuel Godspower, UNIPORT

The University of Port Harcourt has been admitted into the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN), marking a major step in the institution’s contribution to agricultural innovation and enterprise development on the continent. 

The announcement was made by the Vice Chancellor of the University Owunari Abraham Georgewill, through his official social media handle, where he described the development as a recognition of UniPort’s growing role in agribusiness research and capacity building.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the institution was “considered and adjudged qualified to become a member of the AAIN” following the submission of its proposal in Gaborone, Botswana. 

He credited the achievement to the efforts of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) Programme at UniPort, led by its Coordinator, Ibisime Etela. 

The Vice Chancellor stated that “the resilience of the TAGDev 2.0 Program Coordinator, Professor Ibisime Etela, convinced us to submit the necessary proposals and documents for the bid in Botswana,” adding that the successful outcome was a collective milestone for the university.

AAIN is a continental network that supports universities and institutions across Africa in building and strengthening agribusiness incubators. Public information from the organisation describes it as a catalyst for job creation, enterprise development and innovation within the agricultural sector. 

The network currently works with more than 150 universities and development institutions, helping them transform agricultural ideas and research outputs into viable agribusiness solutions. 

UniPort’s entry into the network places it among institutions positioned to benefit from incubation frameworks, training opportunities, mentorship connections, enterprise development support and partnerships with other agribusiness stakeholders.

Correspondent gathered that the development aligns with UniPort’s goals under the TAGDev 2.0 programme, which is supported by major continental partners and seeks to transform agricultural education to produce entrepreneurial graduates capable of creating sustainable agrifood systems. 

The programme boasts a particular focus on strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, including rice production and food-systems innovation. Membership in AAIN is expected to expand the university’s capacity to translate research into practical agribusiness ventures, support student and youth enterprises and enhance local economic development through agriculture.

Observers note that the move could open up new opportunities for collaboration with other African universities, attract agricultural investment and deepen the university’s engagement with community-based agribusiness initiatives in the Niger Delta. 

It may also improve access to training resources and innovation support systems that help young entrepreneurs develop sustainable agribusiness ideas.

With this recognition from AAIN, UniPort is poised to strengthen its contribution to national and continental development through agricultural innovation. The university community has welcomed the news, which the Vice Chancellor described as a collective success for the institution.