…Boosting sustainable agriculture at Landmark and FUNAAB
By Damiete Braide
In a bold push toward sustainable agriculture and food security, Ms. Tolulope Sabainah Aremu has emerged as a trailblazer in developing hydroponics systems that are reshaping how Nigerian universities and local farmers grow livestock feed without soil or large land use.
Her journey began in 2018 at Landmark University, where she pioneered a hydroponics-based forage unit that introduced students to climate-smart agriculture. This system allowed crops like barley and maize sprouts to grow in water-based nutrient solutions, eliminating the need for arable land and drastically cutting water use.
“Tolulope’s innovation brought agriculture into the future,” said Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, Vice Chancellor of Landmark University.
“Through her hydroponics model, our students are learning sustainable farming hands-on. More importantly, it has become a reference point for innovation across the region.”
Following the Landmark success, Ms. Aremu established a similar system at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in 2020, where it now supports over 500 students in practical research, feed trials, and sustainable agriculture coursework.
But the impact stretches far beyond classrooms. Local farmers in Ogun and Kwara States have begun visiting the facilities to learn how hydroponics can serve as a cost-effective alternative to traditional animal feed systems. Many have since adopted similar methods to grow protein-rich feed like azolla and sprouted grains, reducing their dependency on expensive feed options such as soybeans and maize—crops that traditionally compete with human food supply and especially impact women-led farming households.
The hydroponics model is helping to preserve fertile land, reduce input costs, and empower farmers to produce feed year-round, regardless of weather or soil condition. This means livestock no longer have to compete with humans for food crops, a crucial shift as Nigeria faces mounting food security concerns.
For students, the units serve as living laboratories where classroom theory meets real-world agricultural solutions. For farmers, they offer a pathway to greater self-reliance and environmental stewardship.
As Nigeria seeks new strategies to feed its growing population while protecting its natural resources, the work of Tolulope Aremu stands out, not just as a scientific breakthrough, but as a blueprint for community-centered, sustainable innovation.