The management of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has announced the introduction of a compulsory university-wide course titled AGR 200: Farm Practice (2 Units) for all 200-level students across faculties, regardless of their course of study. The decision was officially approved by the Vice-Chancellor earlier today and takes immediate effect.
According to internal communication obtained by Nigeria Education News, the university has mandated that all 200-level students pay for the Farm Practical Manual/Workbook through their student portal. This payment is a prerequisite for collecting the workbook, which is essential for participation in the course.
The administration emphasized the urgency of this directive, urging students to complete payment and registration before the deadline on Sunday midnight. Students who fail to meet this deadline risk being locked out of the registration portal, potentially delaying their academic progress.
For students who had earlier registered their courses before AGR 200 was added to the portal, the Practical Management Team (PMT) has offered a solution. Those students will be automatically registered for the course upon presentation of a valid receipt confirming payment for the Farm Manual. This ensures that no student is penalized due to early course registration.
The Farm Practical Classes are scheduled to commence on Monday, with sessions running from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., once a week. A detailed timetable indicating the specific days for each faculty will be shared on the designated student communication platforms in due course.
In line with the hands-on nature of the course, students are required to report to the farm site located at the 2nd gate, along College of Medicine and Irasa (new road), equipped with a cutlass and hoe. This practical orientation is designed to expose students to foundational agricultural practices and instill essential skills for sustainable development.
University authorities reiterated that AGR 200 is a compulsory university course, likened to General Studies (GST) courses, and is a graduation requirement. Students who fail to complete or register for the course will not be eligible for graduation, regardless of their program.
Faculty officers, course advisers, and student leaders have been directed to urgently disseminate this information to all 200-level students to avoid late registration issues and ensure smooth implementation of the new course policy.
This move by EKSU reflects a growing emphasis on practical education and self-reliance, as the institution seeks to enrich its academic curriculum with hands-on, real-life experiences that bridge theory and practice.
