<p><!-- BEGIN THEIA POST SLIDER --></p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 3.0.4 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p> ;</p><div class="SbaEqXXM" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>Abuja, June 25, 2026.</p><div class="us8IevEL" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<!-- TV -->

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="4399361195"

 data-ad-format="auto"

 data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja) on Thursday held its 51st Inaugural Lecture, where Professor Bashir Omolaran Bello, Professor of Agronomy (Plant Breeding and Genetics), underscored the importance of plant breeding in tackling climate change and ensuring global food security.</p>
<p>The lecture, titled &#8220;Plant Breeding for Climate Resilience and Food Security: From Genes to Sustainable Food System,&#8221; was held at the Faculty of Agriculture Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Airport Road, Abuja.</p>
<p>The event commenced with an opening prayer, followed by the introduction of distinguished guests, including Dr. Nasri Mustafa, Mallam Abdullah, Alhaji Wahab Ademula, Alhaji Shitu Rasheed, and Alhaji Mustafa, alongside representatives of various organizations and members of the university community.</p><div class="TqHaYtTA" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block; text-align:center;"

 data-ad-layout="in-article"

 data-ad-format="fluid"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="6550225277"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script></div>
<p>In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, welcomed participants and expressed confidence in the success of the event. He reaffirmed the university&#8217;s commitment to research excellence and described the inaugural lecture series as an important platform for advancing scholarship and innovation.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 3.0.4 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad5" id="quads-ad5" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>Delivering the inaugural lecture, Professor Bello opened his presentation by examining the global challenges of climate change, global warming, climate resilience, and food security. He explained that climate-resilient crops &#8220;withstand, adapt, and recover from the effects of climate variability,&#8221; stressing that such crops are indispensable to sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.</p>
<p>Tracing the evolution of plant breeding, the professor outlined four major stages in its development: Early Domestication (10,000 BC–1865), Traditional Breeding (1865–1980), Molecular Breeding (1980–2015), and Genomics, Gene Editing and Digital Breeding (2015–2026). He explained that each phase has contributed significantly to improving crop productivity and resilience.</p>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 3.0.4 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad1" id="quads-ad1" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>

<p>Highlighting advances in biotechnology, Professor Bello discussed tissue culture as an effective technique for the production of disease-free and uniform plants. He further emphasized that &#8220;conservation is vital for long-term crop availability,&#8221; noting that preserving plant genetic resources remains essential to sustainable agriculture.</p>
<p>Speaking on the significance of crop improvement, he stated that &#8220;Plant breeding is vital for sustainable food development.&#8221; He observed that &#8220;plant breeding has progressed from conventional methods to genomic-assisted innovation, remaining central to agricultural transformation and global food security.&#8221;</p>
<p>The professor described research as the foundation of future agricultural development, declaring that &#8220;Research is a necessity.&#8221; He therefore advocated increased funding and grants to enable researchers to develop improved crop varieties capable of withstanding climate-related challenges.</p>
<p>Emphasizing the need for continuous scientific advancement, Professor Bello remarked that &#8220;The future depends on innovation,&#8221; adding that &#8220;the future of food security lies in continuous innovation and strategic collaboration in plant breeding.&#8221; He further urged governments, research institutions, and development partners to &#8220;ensure farmers have access to improved and climate-resilient seeds.&#8221;</p>
<p>Reflecting on his academic journey, Professor Bello highlighted his numerous research publications and contributions to crop improvement. Beyond maize, he disclosed that his research has focused on sweet potato, tomato, sugarcane, and several other economically important crops, demonstrating how modern plant breeding can improve productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance farmers&#8217; livelihoods.</p>
<p>At the conclusion of the lecture, Professor Bello expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and acknowledged the support of his late parents, siblings, mentors, the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, the Inaugural Lecture Committee, the Faculty of Agriculture, university administrative and technical staff, heads of departments, colleagues, students, his associates at the Federal University Gashua, research partners, and all contributors to his academic journey. He dedicated the lecture to everyone who contributed to his research.</p>
<p>Following a vote of thanks, the Vice-Chancellor presented Professor Bello with a commemorative plaque and certificate in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Agronomy and Plant Breeding. Professor Fawehinmi commended the inaugural lecturer for his scholarly achievements and expressed optimism that more professors from the university&#8217;s various faculties would continue to deliver impactful inaugural lectures.</p>
<p>The ceremony concluded with closing remarks and a closing prayer led by Professor Umar. Guests later gathered for group photographs, bringing the university&#8217;s 51st Inaugural Lecture to a successful close.</p>
<p>The lecture reinforced the importance of research, innovation, conservation, and strategic collaboration in building climate-resilient agricultural systems capable of guaranteeing sustainable food security for future generations.</p>
<p>By Igboka Annabel<br />
Department of Development and Strategic Communication University of Abuja Nigeria.</p>
<p><!-- END THEIA POST SLIDER -->
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 3.0.4 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad3" id="quads-ad3" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>
</p>
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"

 style="display:block"

 data-ad-format="autorelaxed"

 data-ad-client="ca-pub-4403533287178375"

 data-ad-slot="1004305389"></ins>

<script>

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

</script>
<!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 3.0.4 -->
<div class="quads-location quads-ad4" id="quads-ad4" style="float:none;margin:0px;">

</div>


