College of Agriculture, Lafia was established in 1977 primarily to train extension workers and middle level manpower for the development of agriculture.  In 1987, the Government of the State through Edict No. 13, granted the College autonomy which came into force in 1988.

(B)           Description and Location

The College main campus is situated along Lafia-Akwanga road, seven (7) kilometers from Lafia town, the state capital; covering an area of 72.84 hectares and is bounded by two (2) perennial streams.

The College livestock complex is located along Doma Road, Lafia and covers an area of about ten (10) hectares.

c)             Objectives

To realize Nigeria’s demand for food sufficiency as has been desired through various programmes such as Operation Feed the Nation and Green Revolution introduced at various times by our leaders, the training of would be farmers, extension officers that will improve the agricultural output is a matter of necessity.

Bearing in mind the nation’s demand in terms of middle manpower development and self-reliance in terms of food production, the College has set out below the objectives and overall philosophy of the College during and after the training of students as;

1.     Inculcation of the spirit of self-reliance, industry and versatility in students;

2.     Community Service Oriented training and acquisition of basic skills for self-employment;

3.     Character-training and promotion of opportunity for job-orientation;

4.     Instilling into the students the desire for achievement, excellence and life-long education;

5.     Developing National consciousness and loyalty to the truth and academic honesty; and

6.     Conduct Research Works into the various areas of agriculture as may be beneficial to state and the country in general.

(D)          Type of Manpower produced

The institution is bestowed with the responsibility of providing the middle manpower (National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND).

(E)           COURSES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

                The College offers the following:

                Programme                                                                                            Duration

                (a)           Certificate                                                                              1 year
                (b)           Remedial                                                                                1 year
                (c)           Pre-National Diploma                                                             1 year
                (d)           National Diploma                                                                    2 years in

i)              Agricultural Technology;
ii)             Home and Rural Economics; and
iii)            Animal Health and Production Technology

      (e)           Higher National Diploma (HND)                                         2 years in

                                i)              Agricultural Extension and Management;
                               ii)               Crop Production Technology
                               iii)               Horticulture and Landscape Technology
                               iv)              Animal Production Technology; and
                                v)              Home and Rural Economics.

F.             CURRENT ENROLMENT

The Students population stood at seven hundred and three (703) during the 1999/2000 session.

G.            QUALIFICATION AND LEVELS OF ENTRY INTO THE INSTITUTION

i)                     Certificate programme  - 1 year.

The programme is designed to assist candidates t hat have no minimum requirements for Pre-National Diploma or candidates wishing to have the background of the courses for self-sufficiency.  
The entry requirement is GCE or SCCE pass or attempted.

ii)                   Remedial Programme – 1 year.

The programme was established to assist candidates that have no minimum entry requirements into Pre-National Diploma to make up.

iii)                  Pre-National Diploma (PND) – 1 year

The Pre-National Diploma is a programme designed for candidates that have no minimum entry requirements into National diploma programmes.

iv)                 National Diploma (ND) -  2 years

To qualify into the programme, candidates must have a minimum of four credits in relevant areas which must include Mathematics, English Language, and Credit/Pass in Chemistry or General Science or candidates that is successful in his/her Pre-National Diploma with a minimum of four passes in relevant  ‘O’ level papers which must include Mathematics, English Language and Chemistry or General Science.  A Science background grade II pass with not less than four credits in relevant areas may be considered for admission.

v)                   Higher National Diploma (HND) – 2 years

Candidates wishing to be admitted into any of the College programmes must be a holder of National Diploma in the relevant department plus a minimum of four passes in the ‘O’ level and at least one-year cognitive/working experience.

5.    The College currently charges its students as follows (per semester      depending on the programme of study:

i)     National Diploma, Pre-National Diploma, Certificate and Remedial programmes                        -   N1,500.00 – N1,860.00

ii)    Higher National Diploma (HND)        -   N1,860.00 – N3,210.00

                                iv)           FOREIGN STUDENTS.

(a)           Remedial/Certificate/Pre-National Diploma      -   $250  
             (b)           ND I & II (Gen.)                                            -   $400  
             (c)           Home and Rural Economics (ND I & II)          -   $450  
            (d)           Higher National Diploma                                  -   $500

For Further Information, contact:

                The Provost

                College of Argiculture

                PMB 33

                Lafia, Nasarawa State

                Nigeria

                Phone +234 (47) 20250

                Email coal@nasarawastate.org

                URL: http://www.nasarawastate.org/education/tertiaryinstitutions/coal.htm