This study reviewed on the current status of agricultural extension in Nigeria. Numerous extension approaches have been used in Nigeria. The basic and essential task of agricultural extension has been and still is: The exchange and means of sharing information, knowledge and skills for improved livelihood regardless of its organization. In a changing world and its environment, however, the context and hence the challenges in agricultural extension service changes; such as: improvement in agricultural production, environmental degradation, biotechnology, HIV/AIDs; reduced government support for public research and extension; entrance of private service providers; increasing private sector involvement and development of information and communication technology in extension service. The conventional development paradigm (T & V, University extension approach, ministry of agriculture approach, commodity/ sectoral agency

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The study assesses the relevance of Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) programme competency on agricultural extension service delivery in North-Western Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 225 samples of the study. Two categories of respondents were used for data collection namely: SAFE beneficiaries (212) and lecturers’ in the departments of Agricultural Economics and Extension/Extension and Rural Sociology/Extension and Rural Development (13) of the three SAFE participating Universities in North-Western Nigeria. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (such as percentage counts, means, standard deviation and ranking) and inferential statistics (Logit regression). The study revealed that job competencies identified were highly relevant to extension service delivery and the SAFE beneficiaries were competent enough to handle any agricultural extension role. More so, the beneficiaries had reported a lot of benefits derived from the programme such as increased extension knowledge, field demonstration, job integrity, increased salary and self-esteem. The study established significant influenced of the SAFE beneficiaries’ selected demographic characteristics on their job competency. The study concludes that SAFE programme had positively influenced job competencies and a lot of benefits are derived by the agricultural extension workers as a result of programme participation. The study further recommends that there is need for more female incorporated in agricultural extension services and inclusiveness of the SAFE programme curricula across the Universities in Nigeria.

The study assessed job behavior of SAFE programme beneficiaries in North-Western Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting 73 SAFE beneficiaries’ employers (sample sizes).Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and all the administered questionnaires were returned and found useful for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired sample t-test). The study reveals that SAFE beneficiaries’ have rated high in job behavior indicators as a result of SAFE programme (such as desired for new knowledge, explicitness, foresightedness, sympathetic attitude, service attitude, attractive personality, enthusiasm and honesty). The study further confirmed significant differences on job behavioral change of SAFE beneficiaries’ before and after SAFE participation using paired sample t-test. The study concludes that SAFE programme had positively influenced job behavioral change of the agricultural extension workers. In line with this finding, the study recommends that the SAFE programme curriculabe adopted into the conventional or traditional agricultural degree programme across the Nigerian Universities.

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