Nigeria must take lead in agriculture to survive, says Akpabio

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio says Nigeria should not simply strive to survive, but to lead Africa in agricultural innovation and food production.

Akapabio made the statement at the opening of the maiden National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan on Wednesday.

The theme of the summit is; “Unfolding the Potential of Agricultural Colleges and Institutions through Collaboration and Innovation to Enhance Food Security and Job Creation.”

The senate president, represented by Sen. Ashiru Oyetola, the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, said that Nigeria must move from dependence to competitiveness.

Akpabio said, “we must move from potential to performance. The story of great nations teaches us that prosperity often begins from the soil.

“Many of today’s industrial giants first built strong agricultural foundations before expanding into manufacturing and technology.

“Agriculture built economies before oil ever did. This summit, therefore, is not simply about colleges and institutions. It is about the future of Nigeria.

“ It is about whether we will rise to meet the demands of our time with courage, intelligence, and unity of purpose,” he said.

The senate president, however, said that the future belongs to innovators, creators, problem-solvers and builders.

“Agriculture offers enormous possibilities for enterprise, wealth creation, technological innovation and national impact. Do not despise the soil. Great nations grow from it,” he said.

He, urged, researchers and academics, to help Nigeria with their ideas, saying we need your discoveries, dedication and your patriotism now more than ever.

“ The future of agriculture will not be determined merely by hoes and cutlasses, but by research, technology, mechanisation, innovation, biotechnology, data systems, irrigation science, climate adaptation and knowledge-driven productivity.

“The farmer of the 21st century must become not only a cultivator of crops, but also a manager of science, information, and enterprise.

“That is why agricultural colleges and institutions occupy a strategic place in national development.

“These institutions are not ordinary schools. They are laboratories of national survival. They are incubators of innovation. They are training grounds for the food security architects of tomorrow.

“Train agro-entrepreneurs; reduce post-harvest losses; strengthen food processing and value chains; create millions of jobs; and help Nigeria transition from food insecurity to agricultural abundance,” he said.

According to the senate president, nations that neglect agriculture gamble with hunger. Nations that invest in agriculture invest in stability, employment, peace and sovereignty.

“Nigeria is richly blessed. We possess vast arable land, diverse ecological zones, energetic youths, favourable climate conditions and one of the largest agricultural markets in Africa.

“Yet we must honestly admit that we have not fully converted these blessings into sustainable prosperity.

“For too long, our agricultural sector has remained largely dependent on subsistence practices while our research institutions, colleges of agriculture, and extension systems have not received the strategic integration and modernisation they deserve.

Sen.Sharafadeen Alli, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, said the summit is a collective effort to reposition Agricultural Colleges and Institutions as strategic drivers of food security, innovation, economic growth, youth empowerment and sustainable national development.

Alli said, as a nation blessed with enormous agricultural potential, we must strengthen our institutions to become centres of excellence capable of producing skilled manpower, impactful research, modern innovations and practical solutions to the food and employment challenges.

“This event has brought together distinguished senators, policymakers, heads of institutions, development partners, researchers, private sector stakeholders, investors, students and key actors within the agricultural value chain across Nigeria and beyond.

“ This reflects our shared commitment to advancing agricultural education and institutional development.

“I commend IITA for hosting this historic national engagement and for their continued contributions towards agricultural research and development in Africa.

“This gathering is not merely ceremonial; it is a platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, legislative engagement, exploring innovation exchange and for actionable policy recommendations that will strengthen Agricultural Colleges and Institutions across the country,” he said.

The sub-teams of the summit are: Legislative Framework Development, Policy Advocacy, Strengthening Institutional Collaboration: Enhancing Curriculum and Training, Investment Attraction and Job Creation Strategies.

Participants at the summit were drawn from: Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, National Center for Agricultural Mechanisation, National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services and Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research.