FUADS GAINS MOMENTUM AS ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY CONDUCTS EIA ON AKO-NIKE SITE

…As NUC, Education Ministry Earlier Assess University’s Readiness

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By HECTOR C. OKOH

The journey towards the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies (FUADS), Ako-Nike, has gathered fresh momentum with the commencement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed university site.

A team of experts and consultants from the Federal Ministry of Environment arrived at the Ako-Nike site on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for the assessment, marking another major stage in the federal approval and development process for the proposed institution.

The exercise is considered a critical requirement ahead of physical planning, infrastructure development and the eventual commencement of academic activities at the university.

The environmental team conducted a detailed inspection of the proposed site, examining its vegetation, soil composition, water sources, drainage patterns and relationship with the surrounding communities.

The assessment, carried out in line with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, Cap E12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, is expected to provide the environmental framework for the responsible development and eventual operation of the university.

Speaking on the scope of the exercise, the Lead Consultant, Mr. Ahmed Jezel, explained that the assessment goes beyond a physical inspection of the land, covering air quality, noise levels, water and soil analysis, waste management, erosion control, drainage and community impact mitigation.

The latest development comes barely a week after a joint assessment team from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) visited the proposed site to ascertain its suitability and assess the level of preparedness for the establishment of the institution.

The delegation, led by Dr. Kareem Olawale Lateef, inspected the land provided by the Ako-Nike community and expressed satisfaction with what it saw.

Lateef declared that the proposed university had reached a promising stage, saying the community had demonstrated readiness to support the project. He stated that from everything the team had seen, it was obvious that the university was ready to fly.

The NUC representative also acknowledged the legislative efforts that brought the proposed university to national attention, particularly the role played by the member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Prof. Paul Sunday Nnamchi, who sponsored the bill seeking its establishment.

According to him, the progress recorded so far reflects the ability of the sponsor to move the proposal beyond the stage of legislation and secure the attention and support required for its implementation.

Lateef noted that conceiving an idea and introducing it before the National Assembly was one thing, while successfully convincing the Assembly and the Federal Government of the need for its implementation was another.

He added that the team’s presence at the site was evidence that Prof. Nnamchi had followed the right path, demonstrating commitment and purpose in advancing the bill, while securing the recognition and support of the National Assembly and the Federal Government.

Lateef, however, charged the Ako-Nike community and other stakeholders not to relent in their support, urging them to complement government efforts by helping to provide the facilities and infrastructure necessary for the university to commence operations effectively.

He expressed confidence that FUADS would eventually become an important centre for human-capital development, particularly in agriculture and related fields, and prepare its graduates to be nationally relevant and globally competitive.

For the people of Ako-Nike and the wider Enugu community, the latest environmental assessment signals that the proposed university is steadily moving from the realm of legislation and aspiration towards physical realisation.

With site suitability and environmental assessment now receiving attention from relevant federal agencies, expectations are mounting that the proposed institution will soon enter another decisive phase in its journey to becoming a functional federal university.