National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike

24/08/2026

GENERAL OUTLOOK

The week is expected to be warm with frequent rainfall and intermittent sunshine. Rainfall activity is expected to increase towards the end of the week, with the heaviest rainfall occurring around Friday and Saturday.
Maximum temperatures are expected to remain around 27°C–31°C, while minimum temperatures will generally range between 22°C and 23°C based on the visible forecast data.
From Tuesday to Sunday, approximately 95.3 mm of rainfall is indicated, with Saturday recording the highest value of 32.0 mm. Sunshine duration will generally be limited, ranging from 1.4 to 5.1 hours per day.

Issued by:
Dr. Okezie Chukwuemeka
Head, Agro-Meteorology
National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike
Date: August 24, 2026

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Nigerian Meteorological Agency-NiMet

23/08/2026

A Very Happy Birthday to Dr. Mrs. Maryrose Mbanaso!🎉💐Director of Administration, NRCRI Umudike.

Your outstanding leadership in administration has been key to the smooth running of NRCRI. Through your dedication, professionalism and commitment to due process, you have helped to strengthen systems, support staff welfare and drive the institute’s mandate forward.

We appreciate your wisdom, your service and the calm, steady hand with which you lead.

May this new age bring you greater wisdom, sound health, joy and continued success in all you do.

Happy Birthday, Ma. We honour and celebrate you!🎂✨ — a woman of excellence, strength and grace.

21/08/2026

Have you visited our website today?

https://nrcri.gov.ng/cassava-research/

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria

CASSAVA PROGRAMME The Cassava Program at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) is a key initiative focused on improving cassava production, processing, and utilization in Nigeria and beyond. The objective of the program is to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant, and nutritionally e...

19/08/2026

ED EGESI HOLDS TOWN HALL WITH NRCRI STAFF, CALLS FOR OWNERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

Earlier today, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, held a town hall meeting with staff to review developments, achievements, challenges and key issues affecting the Institute over the past year.

The interactive session provided an opportunity for the ED to highlight major milestones recorded across research and innovation, capacity building, infrastructure development, strategic partnerships, staff development and institutional visibility.

Prof. Egesi noted that the achievements reflect the collective commitment of Management and the entire NRCRI team to research excellence and innovation.
“NRCRI is steadily positioning itself as a stronger, more innovative, globally visible and development-oriented research institution committed to supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation,” he said.

On Salary and Promotion Arrears-
The ED updated staff on ongoing efforts to address outstanding salary and promotion arrears.
While acknowledging the challenges of securing adequate Federal Government funding for promotion arrears within approved budgets, he assured staff that Management is actively engaging relevant authorities to resolve all pending issues.

On Work Ethics and Staff Responsibility-
Prof. Egesi expressed concern over issues of absenteeism, attitude to work and professional conduct. He stressed that commitment, discipline, and professionalism are critical to achieving the Institute’s mandate.

A Call for Collective Responsibility-
In his closing remarks, the ED challenged staff to embrace a stronger sense of ownership.

“Today, I want to challenge all of us to adopt a true stakeholder’s mindset,” he said.
Quoting John F. Kennedy, he added: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
“Let us apply that directly to NRCRI: Ask not only what NRCRI can do for you, but what you can do to build and uplift NRCRI. When we focus on our civic duty, bring the right attitude to work and invest our personal best into this institute, we build an NRCRI that takes care of all of us. Let us move from being onlookers to being the active builders of our own success.”

The town hall ended with a renewed call for collaboration, accountability, professionalism and collective commitment toward building a stronger and more impactful NRCRI

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Umudike Seeds Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Nrcri Umudike

19/08/2026

NAFDAC Registers Seven ROOTERA Food Products Developed By Umudike Food Innovate Ltd

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has granted registration certificates to Umudike Food Innovate Ltd for seven food products under its “ROOTERA” brand, in a major boost for value addition in Nigeria’s root and tuber crop sector.

The approved products are: Rootera Cassava Bread, Rootera Crunchy Chin Chin, Rootera Sweetpotato Bread, Rootera Sweetpotato Drink, Rootera Gari, Rootera Fufu Flour, and Rootera Strips.

The milestone comes shortly after the company’s incorporation as a private company limited by shares under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. NAFDAC registration providing the regulatory pathway for the products to enter Nigeria’s formal food market.

Umudike Food Innovate Ltd is focused on research, food processing and the commercialization of safe, nutritious and value-added products from root and tuber crops.

Read more

https://nrcri.gov.ng/nafdac-registers-seven-rootera-food-products-developed-by-umudike-food-innovate-ltd/

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Umudike Seeds Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Ugo Chijioke

19/08/2026

A Very Happy Birthday to Dr. Victoria Okafor! 🎉📚, Director of Information and Documentation at NRCRI Umudike

You have distinguished yourself through exemplary leadership in knowledge management, library services and institutional documentation. Your dedication has been instrumental in preserving NRCRI’s research legacy and projecting our mandate to national and global audiences.

We celebrate your service, professionalism and unwavering commitment to excellence.

May this new age bring you greater wisdom, sound health, peace and continued success.

Happy Birthday, Ma.🥳🎉🎊

18/08/2026

Farmers in Soku, Oyo State have spoken — they choose HOPE🍀

The HOPE cassava variety, released by NRCRI Umudike during COVID-19, won hearts at our recent Farmers’ Field Day.

Why?
✅ Hope has High yield — even under drought conditions
✅ Hope has White root colour — perfect for quality gari and fufu
✅ Hope has Good root shape — easy to peel and process, ideal for starch companies

One farmer said it best: _“It yielded well despite the drought.”
That’s resilience. That’s climate-smart. That’s HOPE.🤞💪🏼

At NRCRI, our priority is simple: the happiness of our farmers and processors.
And with HOPE, we’re delivering just that.



Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Umudike Seeds AATF Favour Uchenna Okeakpu

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

EGESI CALLS FOR MAJOR OVERHAUL OF AGRICULTURAL CURRICULA IN NIGERIA🌾

The Executive Director/CEO of the National Root Crops Research Institute, NRCRI Umudike, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, has called for a comprehensive review of agricultural curricula in Nigeria to prepare graduates for a digital, climate-smart and market-driven future.

He made the call today, during the Post-Summit Interactive Session of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions. The panel focused on: “Integrating Digital Agriculture, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Biotechnology, Market Linkage and Data Analytics into Agricultural Education.”

Prof. Egesi said agriculture education should no longer just teach students how to farm. It must train them to manage agriculture as a business, powered by technology, resilient to climate change and connected to markets and finance.

“The test is not exam scores. It’s whether graduates can solve real problems, create value, attract investment and build viable enterprises,” he stated.

He noted 12 Key Areas for Curriculum Reform which include-

1. Start with the graduate Nigeria needs: Graduates must diagnose problems, use digital tools, interpret data, build bankable agribusinesses, and manage risks.

2. Integrate Digital agriculture, climate-smart ag, biotech, data and market linkage should run through all courses not as separate electives.

3. Make digital agriculture practical
Hands-on skills in GIS, drones, IoT, AI, mobile advisory, e-commerce and farm management software.
_Every graduate must be digitally literate.

4. Teach climate-smart agriculture as risk management: Students should use NiMet climate data to make decisions on planting, irrigation, resilient varieties, insurance and low-emission farming.

5. Position biotechnology for the value chain: From tissue culture and biofortification to biosafety, IP and regulation under NBMA.

6. Make the market the starting point: Produce for an identified market, not an expected market. Teach value chains, quality standards, logistics, branding, finance and negotiation.

7. Treat data as a core farm input:
Use real data from farms, markets, NiMet and industry for analysis, budgeting and decision-making.

8. Replace classroom theory with experiential learning.

9. Bring industry into curriculum governance: Farmers, agribusinesses, tech companies, banks and regulators should co-design and evaluate programs.

10. Invest in lecturers and infrastructure: Faculty retraining, labs, reliable power/internet and offline tools for smallholders.

11. Use NUC’s 30% flexibility strategically
Southeast: root & tuber value chains. North: irrigation & livestock.
Coastal: fisheries.
Near clusters: industrial raw materials.

12. Measure outcomes, not documents: Track jobs, startups, employer satisfaction, tech adoption, and inclusion of youth and women.

In his closing remark, Prof Egesi posited that the question is no longer whether agriculture should become digital, climate-smart, biotech-enabled, data-driven and market-oriented. It already is. The real question is: “will our institutions produce graduates ready to lead that agriculture, or graduates trained for a system that no longer exists?”



Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Umudike Seeds Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria fans

17/08/2026

🌱 NRCRI Reaffirms Commitment to Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems

At the 2nd International Conference on Agrifood Systems and Stakeholders Forum (AICASF) 2026, holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from 17–19 August 2026, Dr. Helen Anyaegbunam delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Executive Director, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi.

Speaking on the theme, “Advancing Inclusive and Resilient Agrifood Systems in a Changing Climate through Entrepreneurship, Digital Innovations and Value Chain Development,” Dr Anyaegbunam highlighted the urgent need to connect agricultural research with practical solutions, enterprise development and market opportunities.

She emphasized the institute’s commitment to developing climate-resilient varieties, quality planting materials, sustainable production practices, mechanization, pest and disease management, postharvest technologies, processing and value addition for root and tuber crops such as , , and /cocoyam.

A key message was the need to move “From Research to Enterprise” by strengthening the pathway:

She also called for stronger digital innovation, public-private partnerships and collaboration among researchers, farmers, processors, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and development partners.

“The Institute remains committed to building inclusive, climate-smart and commercially viable root and tuber value chains that contribute to food and nutrition security, employment creation and Nigeria’s economic development.”🌾🇳🇬 she noted.

Also in attendance was the former Ag Execuitve Director of NRCRI Umudike, Dr Godwin Asumugha, who delivered the keynote address.


Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Umudike Seeds Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria