PRESENT AGRO-BASED RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN NIGERIA, THEIR HISTORY AND OBJECTIVES

AFRICA REGIONAL FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN The idea of a school of information science for English speaking African countries was conceived at UNESCO in 1973, revived at Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in 1980, and usefully bold to the meeting of commonwealth Head of Universities, held in Hong Kong, in March 1981.  In January 1983, a four man team of Experts visited many African universities in order to recommend to UNESCO and IDRC the best location for the proposed school. The outcome of the mission was the recommendation to establish two such schools, one at the University of Ibadan for the West African sub Region and other at Addio Ababa University for East and Southern Africa. The one proposed for the universities named Africa. Regional centre for information science (ARCIS).  Between 26 October and 2 November 1984, a curriculum design experiences Group met at the University of Ibadan to fashion a curriculum for ARCIS. After many more years of gestation. ARCIS finally became operational in November 1990. 
THE FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH OSHODI NIGERIAN (F.I.I.R.O)  The institute had it’s conception in their year 1953, when the World Bank sent on economic mission and their observation they found out that the industrial research in Nigeria was diffused, and with a definite direction. Later the mission recommended that an institutes of Technical Research has to be set up. It’s inauguration was in 1956 by the then minister for commence and industry. In 1988, the name was changed to “Federal Institute of Industrial Research – Originally it was supervised by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry. But later it came under different supervising bodies, the current one being the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Since 1992.  At first, it had of succession of expatriates and its directors and chief executives. However, it had its first indigenous director in the person of Dr. Isaac Adedayo Akinrele, who left the stage in 1990 for Professor Ayodele Odanta.  Dr. Oluwolo, Olatunji, the incumbent director generally Chief Executive took the place of professor Odunfa in the year 2000. It is located at Bined Centre Street, adjacent to NITEL training school, by Cappa Oshodi off Agege motor road, Lagos. 
THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (IITA) The International institute of tropical agriculture (IITA) was founded in 1967 with a formal command to improve food production in the hunied tropics and to develop sustainable production systems. At became the first African link in the International network of agricultural research centers supported by the Consultative Group On International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).  It is governed by an International board of trustees as is stated by scientists and other professionals form over 30 countries, and approximately 1300 support staff, staff are located at the Ibadan campus, and also Benin Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malati, Mozanibique, Tanzanio, and Uganda. Other are located at work sites in several countries throughout sub-saharan Africa.