BSU’s CEFTER At 10: Prof. Ikyo Highlights Achievements, Challenges

Featured image: File photo of Prof. Barnabas Ikyo

During an interview following the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University (BSU), on Thursday, Prof. Barnabas Achakpa Ikyo, Director of CEFTER, highlighted strides the center has made in advancing higher education and food technology in West and Central Africa.

Established to improve the quality of education and research, Ikyo said, CEFTER has attracted international students, established partnerships, and achieved international accreditation. “We now have over 30 non-Nigerian students from 10 African countries studying in postgraduate programs here,” he stated, expressing pride in CEFTER’s success in creating an environment conducive to high-level research and innovation. He added that CEFTER has introduced facilities such as smart boards and reliable electricity, making it a recognized international center in Nigeria.

Beyond academia, CEFTER has empowered local farmers and food handlers with skills to process and preserve agricultural products, directly contributing to food security and economic resilience in the region. Prof. Ikyo also noted the entrepreneurial spirit the center has instilled in students, many of whom are now business owners.

However, Prof. Ikyo acknowledged that CEFTER has faced significant challenges. He cited misconceptions among locals who may view project leaders as benefiting personally, while the center itself operates under strict financial controls, including rigorous audits. Funding remains another hurdle, with the project relying on grants and strict oversight from the World Bank. He revealed that since 2014, the center has received nearly $13 million in phased grants, with funds earned incrementally based on performance.

Looking ahead, Prof. Ikyo discussed plans to sustain CEFTER after the World Bank’s support concludes next year. “We’re securing other grants, including partnerships with the French Development Agency and laboratories from Sydney, and have launched a business venture that produces NAFDAC-certified products like water, yogurt, and bread,” he said. This income, along with an upcoming technology innovation complex, aims to keep CEFTER financially independent.

CEFTER is now one of the top 10 centers of excellence in Africa, with the goal of reaching the top five by the end of the current project cycle according to Prof. Barnabad Ikyo.