Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu: Under Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada

By: Comr. Chukwu Abia C.

In the heart of Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, nestled among green fields and a proud farming heritage, lies the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu (FCAI)—a school known primarily as a quiet institution for agricultural studies. Today FCAI has transformed into a bustling hub of agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, and academic excellence.

And at the center of this great leap forward was a woman of vision and discipline: Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada (PhD).

Her leadership did not just improve structures—it ignited a movement. Under her regime, FCAI was booming, not only as an educational institution but also as a model agro-economic community. Farms were flourishing. New ventures were thriving. Students were engaged like never before. The college was not just a place for lectures—it's a living laboratory of success.

Let’s take a deep dive into the remarkable transformation story.

The Woman Behind the Vision: Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada

When Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada took over as the Provost of FCAI, expectations were high, but few could predict the level of metamorphosis the college would undergo. A seasoned academic, an advocate of practical agriculture, and a woman driven by purpose, she approached leadership not as a title, but as a mission.

Her goal was simple yet powerful: "Make FCAI the agricultural pride of Nigeria."

But her strategy was complex—revitalize core projects, instill entrepreneurial thinking, strengthen academics, and reconnect the college with the needs of rural and national food systems.

And she delivered.

The Booming FCAI Pig Farm: The Oink of Prosperity

What was once a modest piggery unit later became a commercial pig farm teeming with life. With improved breeds, modern pens, and a clean, hygienic environment, the pig farm under Prof. Mgbada grown from a learning spot to a profit-making center.

The students don’t just read about animal husbandry in textbooks—they clean pens, monitor feeding regimes, assist with birthing, and even participate in sales and marketing.

Monthly, the college records increased outputs in piglets and pork production. This project was not only a source of revenue for the college but also a training ground for students and community youth in sustainable pig farming.

Feathers of Fortune: The Rebirth of the FCAI Poultry Farm

From near-obsolete coops, the poultry unit was a roaring operation of layers and broilers. Under Prof. Mgbada’s regime, the poultry farm was reorganized with better structures, veterinary support, and quality feeds.

Then, FCAI’s poultry doesn’t only produce thousands of eggs weekly, but also supplies chicken meat to the local market, providing fresh and affordable protein to the community.

It’s a classic example of how agriculture can be both educational and economically empowering.

Sweet Ground Treasures: Potato Cultivation and Root Crop Innovation

Under the new agricultural blueprint, the college embraced the cultivation of improved sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes as a flagship crop.

Through research-based farming practices, improved land management, and student participation, FCAI’s potato project gained recognition. The yields are higher, the quality is better, and students are actively engaging in post-harvest handling, storage, and value addition. 

I can remember during exam period, how we use to go to the farm around 1:00am to collect potatoes secretly to avoid Fcai security guards.

Cattle Rearing

FCAI, under Prof. Mgbada, introduced modern ranching practices with a growing herd of cattle

The campus echoes with the gentle sounds of cattle, well-fed on quality fodder, and housed in improved barns. Students now learn firsthand about vaccination, reproduction, feed formulation, and health management.

Beyond teaching, this venture is a step toward addressing protein deficiency in the local region and reducing reliance on imported dairy products.

Cassava to Table: The Revolutionary Fufu Processing Unit

One of the most transformative projects was the Cassava-to-Fufu production chain established on campus. With modern cassava mills and hygienic processing units, FCAI produced high-quality, odourless fufu flour that meets both local and national demand.

This project was empowering women, engaging students, and serving as a model for food value chain development. From planting to packaging, the college oversees the entire process, building capacity for agro-entrepreneurship in its students.

The Rise of FCAI Pineapple Farm: Golden Fruits of the Land

The sight of golden, ripening pineapples stretching across FCAI’s land is not just scenic, it’s symbolic of a fruitful era.

Prof. Mgbada introduced commercial pineapple farming with an eye for export quality fruits, introducing varieties known for their sweetness, shelf life, and marketability.

The pineapple project is teaching students about organic farming, irrigation, crop spacing, disease control, and international market standards.

Feeding Minds and Stomachs: The Establishment of FCAI Bread

Perhaps one of the most student-friendly and community-impacting innovations is the creation of FCAI Bread—a bakery born within the school grounds.

This initiative was not only meant to solve the challenge of food accessibility on campus but also to serve as an agro-enterprise opportunity. Students from Home and Rural Economics, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration and Marketing collaborate to manage the process—from production to distribution.

FCAI Bread was a campus brand, feeding hundreds daily and giving students a real-world business experience.

FCAI Fish Farm & Fish Processing: Streams of Innovation

Prof. Mgbada's administration also dived deep—literally—into aquaculture.

There was fully integrated fish farm with catfish, tilapia, and other freshwater species. With a processing unit added, the college smokes, packages, and sells fish to local vendors and supermarkets between the year 2017 till 2019, as I can tell.

That project was vital to food security, student training, and entrepreneurship, as students learn the entire aquaculture value chain.

The Evergreen Investment: FCAI Palm Plantation

With rows of tall oil palm trees, FCAI’s plantation stands as a symbol of long-term vision. Well maintained during Prof. Mgbada’s leadership, the palm plantation was part of a sustainable wealth creation strategy.

As the trees mature, they provide palm fruit for oil production—a product widely used in homes and industries. This plantation is also preserving the environment, promoting agroforestry, and serving as a learning model for sustainable agriculture.

Academic Excellence: Books, Brains & Beyond

While farms are flourishing, Prof. Mgbada never lost sight of the classroom. Under her regime, FCAI witnessed academic reforms that have rekindled the passion for learning and research.

1. Classrooms were built and equipped 

2. Lecturer attendance, student participation, and assessment became more organized and transparent.

3. The college introduced academic clubs, research groups, and student-led innovation projects.

4. Partnerships with research institutes and agricultural NGOs have increased.

5. There’s renewed seriousness and discipline in the academic environment.

Students graduated with skills, not just degrees.

Entrepreneurship and Empowerment: Beyond the Certificate

Perhaps the most defining mark of Prof. Mgbada’s tenure was the entrepreneurial mindset she instilled. FCAI did not train job seekers, but job creators.

Every farm, every processing unit, every classroom is geared toward empowering the students to launch their own agribusinesses. From agric-tech applications to mobile fish smoking kits, the innovations are real.

Community Impact and National Recognition

Prof. Mgbada’s leadership has not only changed the school but also transformed the lives of people around the college. The local communities benefit from employment, extension training, subsidized food products, and increased commerce.

Nationally, FCAI gainef recognition as one of the most practically productive agricultural colleges in Nigeria. The school hosted dignitaries, won awards, and was becoming a destination for research and collaboration.

A Harvest of Hope

From pig pens to pineapple fields, from lecture halls to fish ponds, the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, under the regime of Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada, proved that transformation in education and agriculture is possible when vision meets action.

The school was not a footnote in Nigeria’s academic system—it was/is a frontline institution, raising a new generation of innovative, practical, and entrepreneurial agriculturists.

In every tilled soil, in every processed fufu bag, in every graduate’s success story—Prof. Mgbada’s legacy is planted, blooming, and bearing fruit..