Taraba State Charts a Bold Path with Proposed University for Tropical Agriculture and Climate Action, Mambilla Plateau.

 Taraba State Charts a Bold Path with Proposed University for Tropical Agriculture and Climate Action, Mambilla Plateau. 

A landmark public hearing held on June 19, 2025, at the Taraba State House of Assembly marks a major step toward the establishment of the Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture and Climate Action, Mambilla Plateau- a proposed institution designed to tackle the pressing challenges of agriculture and climate change, particularly across the Mambilla Plateau and Taraba State at large.

The initiative is spearheaded by the three legislators representing the Sardauna Local Government Area- Rt. Hon. (DCN) Abel Peter  Diah, Hon. Abdulazeez Sulaiman Titong, and Hon. Nelson Cyprain Len - whose passionate advocacy underscores the strategic importance of this university to the region and beyond.

The public hearing drew a cross-section of society- respected academics, legal professionals from the Nigerian Bar Association, traditional rulers, youth representatives, agricultural experts, civil society organizations, and enthusiastic members of the public. Their insights and testimonies were awesome and will help in  shaping the intellectual and structural foundation of an institution envisioned to become a model of innovation in tropical agriculture and environmental sustainability.

The Secretary to the Government of Taraba State (SGS), Chief Barr. GeeTee Kataps Ngwii  delivered a stirring historical account of the Mambilla Plateau's political journey into the Nigerian federation. With passion and clarity, he recounted how the plateau was, in its early history, not originally within Nigeria’s administrative structure, until diplomatic strides and patriotic negotiations brought it into the fold. He evoked a forgotten yet powerful national promise- a university pledged many  years ago to the Mambilla Plateau, meant to recognize their unique contributions and cement their inclusion.

This land has waited long enough for a Tertiary Institution," Chief Kataps declared. "The Mambilla Plateau was promised a Tertiary Institution in the too distant past. Today, we are finally on the threshold of fulfilling that sacred promise; not just to our ancestors, but to future generations, to Nigeria, and to Africa. Let us not allow this opportunity to slip away. 

He emphasized that this university is not just an educational pursuit- it is a symbol of justice, belonging, and progress for a people too often overlooked in national development.

Agricultural experts who took the stage stressed the transformative potential of the university, which will offer localized research, climate-resilient techniques, and practical training for farmers dealing with the region's unique topography and climate conditions. Their calls reinforced the urgent need for specialized institutions that address the intersection of food security, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Traditional rulers from across the state, especially those from the Central and Northern Zones, gave cultural and economic context to the vision, reiterating the centrality of agriculture in their communities and calling the university a "gateway to agricultural self-reliance."

Above all, the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas, was overwhelmingly celebrated. Speakers commended his commitment to inclusive education, regional balance, and visionary governance. Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah, speaking on behalf of the sponsoring legislators, expressed heartfelt gratitude:

We are proud of a Governor who leads with purpose, listens to his people, and is laying down enduring foundations for the next generation. This is not just a political gesture- it is a legacy move. His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas is not just supporting this vision; he is driving it with bold leadership. Rt. Diah Abel Peter added. 

Amid the applause and spirited conversations, the people of the Mambilla Plateau reaffirmed their support for Governor Agbu Kefas, declaring him a leader they are proud to stand by. They described the university project as a defining moment in their history, one that restores faith and inspires hope in governance that delivers.

This initiative transcends the mere building of infrastructure; it represents a strategic, future-driven commitment to sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and human capital development. As the proposed university moves forward through legislative and implementation stages, the dream that once seemed distant is now coming into focus- with the full weight of history, community, and leadership behind it.