The Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies, commonly known as CATES, is a pioneering initiative at Bells University of Technology that bridges agricultural innovation with entrepreneurship education.
Establishment and Leadership
In 2016, the University Management under the able leadership of Professor Jeremiah O. Ojediran established the Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CATES). This strategic decision reflected the university’s commitment to practical, hands-on learning and entrepreneurial development in the agricultural sector.
Core Activities and Programs
The Centre has been undertaking agricultural and entrepreneurial actions in the University such as regular seminars on entrepreneurship and agricultural activities such as the one-hectare plantain farm, plots of vegetable farm, rearing of fish in plastic tanks, raising of nursery beds and many more.
The Centre’s activities encompass:
- Agricultural Production
- One-hectare plantain farm
- Multiple plots of vegetable farms
- Fish rearing in plastic tanks
- Nursery bed management and seedling production
- Entrepreneurship Development
- Regular seminars on entrepreneurship
- Training programs on agribusiness
- Practical demonstrations of agricultural enterprises
- Business planning and management workshops
Strategic Partnerships
CATES Partners with IITA
The Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CATES) signed an MOU with the
International Institute of Tropical Agricultural (IITA) in 2020. This partnership yields positive result
one of which is the training of farmers both young and adult, on some agricultural practices
including demonstration of the production of improved cassava varieties.
Bells Consult Limited
Bells Consult is the business Unit of the University. The Unit, chaired by Mr. Olayinka Badmus,
coordinates several enterprises on campus including sales and services. The Unit also manages the
University bakery and water factory, where high quality bread and water are manufactured for the
university community at a subsidized cost.
These partnerships provide students with:
- Access to world-class agricultural research and technology
- Practical training opportunities at established farms
- Exposure to commercial agricultural operations
- Networking with industry professionals and experts
Evolution to Academic Department
The success of CATES led to a significant expansion of agricultural education at Bells University. In the course of running the Centre, the need to have personnels who are specialists in agriculture, agricultural engineering and entrepreneurship to support her activities came up.
This recognition resulted in the establishment of a full academic department. After a successful resource verification exercise, the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved a Bachelor of Agriculture (B. Agriculture) programme in June 2023 at Bells University of Technology, Ota.
The new Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (AAT) offers:
- Bachelor of Agriculture program
- Options in Fisheries and Animal Science
- Options in Agronomy
- Options in Agribusiness
Educational Philosophy
The CATE Centre’s approach aligns with Bells University’s broader educational philosophy by focusing on:
- Practical Skills Development – Providing hands-on experience through working farms and agricultural enterprises
- Entrepreneurial Mindset – Production of graduates that are adequately equipped with the comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for engaging in productive and sustainable agricultural production
- Technology Integration – Combining traditional agricultural practices with modern technology and innovation
- Economic Self-Reliance – Empowering students to create their own agricultural businesses and become employers of labor
Impact and Significance
The CATE Centre represents a unique model in Nigerian higher education, demonstrating how universities can:
- Transform theoretical knowledge into practical entrepreneurial ventures
- Create sustainable income-generating activities on campus
- Provide students with real-world business experience before graduation
- Contribute to food security and agricultural development in their communities
The Centre serves as a living laboratory where students from various disciplines can engage with agriculture, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development practices, making it an integral part of Bells University’s mission to produce graduates who are not just academically sound but also entrepreneurially equipped and practically skilled.