Animal Science and Technology Philosophy and Objectives

Philosophy

The philosophy that guides the training of students in the Department of Animal Science is to produce skilled manpower adequately furnished with comprehensive information on the biology of farm animals as well as technologies required in intercepting the biology to increase yield and productivity from farm animals. Graduates of Animal Science will be empowered with adequate entrepreneurial skill in the business of animal agriculture, capable of managing livestock farms and with research acumen to take up careers in the academic field. These lofty objectives can only be achieved through adoption of effective instruction techniques and exposure of students to practical exercises. 

 

Objectives

The objectives are to: 

  1. Inculcate in the students’ knowledge on all aspects of Animal Science including Animal breeding and genetics, Animal physiology, Animal   behavior and handling, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, General husbandry practices for all species of farm animals, Animal health care management and Animal products and by-product technology.
  2. Inculcate in the students entrepreneurial skills in the business of Animal Agriculture
  3. Contribute to the production of animal based raw materials for industrial development
  4. Provide consultancy services to livestock farmers, governments (Local, State and National) and corporate organization on livestock issues.
  5. Process livestock into useful products so as to incorporate all value chain related to livestock production
  6. Inculcate in the students the knowledge of Animal waste management and wealth creation from animal waste resources

 

1.3 SCOPE AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Animal Science is an applied biology aimed at solving man’s nutritional deficiencies by making livestock and its products available in man’s daily menu. In addition to the conventional biological study, courses of study usually focuses on the management of livestock species such as cattle, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry and micro-livestock (snail, earth worm, grass cutter, among others). The study of companion animal species is included to some degree in many programs. Coursework may include topics in Animal behaviour, production, meat science, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, ration formulation, agricultural marketing, biology, chemistry, and statistics. 

 

Animal Science is a recognized profession as contained in The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science Act 2007, No.26. Animal Scientists regulate the livestock industry in Nigeria, and at present has a separate ministry (from Agriculture) both at Federal, State and Local Government levels.

The primary goal of every academic programme in Animal Science and Technology is to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship and self-reliance through livestock farming, processing and or marketing of poultry and livestock products. Thus, a graduate of animal science is in a position to create job for her contemporaries. 

Furthermore, graduates of Animal Science are Professionals with many employment opportunities available to them in: 

  1. Academic institutions (Universities, College of Education, Polytechnics, Secondary Schools)
  2. Livestock and Food Processing Industries
  3. Nigerian Institute of Animal Science
  4. International Livestock Research Institutes
  5. National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI)
  6. National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI, Vom, Jos)
  7. Immigration services
  8. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
  9. Feed Milling Industries
  10. Government/Private Hatcheries/ Livestock Farms
  11. Agro-based industries including but not limited to River Basin authority, Agric. and Rural Development, Bank of Industries, USAID Programmes, and many more.
  12. Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture 
  13. Both Federal and State parastatals such as Federal Department of Livestock and Pest Control Services
  14. Agricultural Department Agencies, FADMA, NPFS, Value Added Chain Programmes, ADP, Supervised Agricultural Credit Scheme, 
  15. Banks, Insurance Companies and related Institutions
  16. Graduates can be self-employed
  17. Consultancy and Specialized livestock farmers.