AKSU offers the following programmes through this Department:

1. Bachelor of Science (B.Agric.) in Soil Science

2. Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Soil Science

3. Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Crop Science with specialization options including:

   • Agribusiness Management

   • Food Marketing & International Trade

   • Farm Management & Production Economics

4. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Soil Science with specialization options including:

   • Agribusiness Management

   • Food Marketing & International Trade

   • Farm Management & Production Economics

🎓Undergraduate Studies

University Requirements 

a.) Admission through JAMB and Post UTME

i. Admission into Akwa Ibom State University shall be through Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) OR Direct Entry. In addition to attaining, the general required standard in UTME, candidates must satisfy the general university requirement as well as the specific Faculty and Programs requirement. All Admissions shall be through JAMB.

ii. The candidate must be over 16 years of age by 1st October in the year of admission.

iii. Candidates must possess at least 5 credit passes in relevant subjects (Chemistry, English language, Biology or Agricultural Science, Mathematics or physics and Economics or Geography) at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents at not more than 2 sittings.

iv. Candidates with Teachers Grade II (TC II) with passes at credit or merit levels in conjunction with credit passes in relevant subjects at GCE, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents may be considered. No subject may be counted at both TC II and GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents.

b.) Admission by Direct Entry

Candidates for Direct Entry must have met the matriculation requirements as stated for those seeking admission through UTME plus any of the following:

i. HSC/GCE in (advanced level): At least two HSC/GCE  "A/L" passes in Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, Physics or Mathematics.

ii. OND/NCE: may be admitted with at least a lower credit in OND/merit in NCE into the year with adequate O/L qualification and will run through the rest of the 5-year program.

iii. HND candidates with HND (not less than lower credit) may be admitted into year II  but would be exempted from the one-year field practical training.

Other Admission Requirements

i. A pass in general paper at HSC or approved equivalents would not be accepted as a substitute for a credit pass in English Language at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents.

ii. Interviews may be conducted as a component of the admission process in addition to UTME or Direct Entry by JAMB. 

iii. Specific Faculty/Departmental Requirements will be stipulated in addition to the general University entry requirements.

Transfer Admission

Candidates with adequate qualifications who wish to transfer from other universities to the Department of Crop Science shall be admitted into either Year II or Year II depending on their qualifications and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) as approved by the University. Such candidates must submit an official transcript from their former Universities. There is no admission beyond Year II.

🎓🎓Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

🔸SSCE with 5 credits including English and Mathematics (in not more than 2 sittings)

🔸One of:

• HND in Agriculture with Lower Credit

• Third Class Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related science

• HND Pass with six years of cognate experience.

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

• Bachelor’s Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline

• HND Upper Credit plus PGD at Distinction level.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

• Master's Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline

CONTENTS NEEDED (E.g. The Department publishes the open-access journal AKSUJAEERD (Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Development), featuring peer‑reviewed research on topics like e‑readiness of extension personnel, broiler production economics, and more.)  

CONTENT NEEDED (Example:

🔸 University Teaching & Research Farm (23 ha): hosts demonstrations on conservation tillage, integrated pest management and micro‑irrigation.

🔸 ICT Hub: broadband‑enabled labs support remote diagnostics and data analytics for extension surveys.)

🌱 Crop Production & Farm Management

• Crop production officer or farm manager (arable, horticultural, or plantation crops)

• Greenhouse or nursery manager

• Irrigation and farm systems supervisor

• Agronomist or crop production consultant

• Precision agriculture technician (using GIS, drones, or remote sensing tools)
  
  

🌾 Plant Breeding, Genetics & Biotechnology

• Plant breeder or seed development specialist

• Genetic improvement and biotechnology researcher

• Seed certification and quality control officer

• Germplasm curator in research institutes or seed companies

• Laboratory technologist in plant tissue culture or molecular biology
  
  

🪴 Crop Protection & Pest Management

• Pest and disease control officer (government or private sector)

• Entomologist, plant pathologist, or weed scientist

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) consultant

• Agrochemical product development or field trial specialist

• Bio-control and organic farming expert
  
  

🥕 Horticulture & Landscaping

• Horticultural crops specialist (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals)

• Landscape designer or urban greening consultant

• Floriculturist or nursery enterprise manager

• Postharvest handling and preservation technologist
  
  

📈 Agro-Industry & Agribusiness

• Crop processing and value-addition entrepreneur

• Quality control or production officer in agro-based industries

• Commodity marketing and export officer (e.g., cocoa, oil palm, maize, cassava)

• Agribusiness consultant or supply-chain manager

• Farm input sales and marketing executive (fertilizers, seeds, equipment)
  
  

👩🏽‍🌾 Agricultural Extension & Rural Development

• Crop extension agent or field officer

• Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) staff

• NGO or donor project facilitator in sustainable agriculture

• Community development and food security programme coordinator
  
  

🔬 Research & Academia

• Research scientist in crop improvement, physiology, or pest management

• Lecturer or academic researcher (with postgraduate qualification)

• Research assistant or technician in universities, NARIs, or CGIAR centres (e.g., IITA, ICRISAT, WARDA)

• Field trials and experimental design officer
  
  

💼 Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment

• Owner/manager of commercial crop farms or greenhouse enterprises

• Seed and seedling production entrepreneur

• Agro-input supplier or agro-service provider

• Exporter of fruits, vegetables, or spices

• Consultant in sustainable crop production and organic farming
  
  

🏛️ Government & Regulatory Agencies

• Officer in Federal or State Ministry of Agriculture (crop production, research, or extension divisions)

• Roles in NAQS, SON, or NAFDAC (for crop produce inspection and certification)

• Policy analyst or advisor on crop production, food security, or environmental sustainability
  
  

🌍 Emerging & Specialized Fields

• Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable farming systems expert

• Soil and water conservation specialist

• Agronomic data analyst (AI-driven agriculture, crop modeling)

• Agro-ecologist or regenerative farming consultant

• Organic and ecological farming advocate