Nigeria is richly endowed with fertile land and agricultural potential, yet poor priorities limit opportunities. Food production deserves urgent attention because prosperity begins with food.

Recently, while travelling around Stafford, I observed expansive land suitable for ranching, reminding me of Nigeria’s enormous agricultural possibilities and underutilised resources across the country.

With a growing population and millions facing hardship, Nigeria cannot afford excessive dependence on oil. Agriculture can create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve food security.

The United Kingdom demonstrates how government support, infrastructure, storage, technology, and policies can empower farmers to produce efficiently, while Nigerian farmers struggle despite abundant land.

Our forefathers used agricultural wealth to support development, yet oil dependence weakened that foundation. We must protect farmland, empower farmers, improve infrastructure, and encourage production.

My conclusion is simple: government must set better priorities, support farmers, protect agricultural land from unnecessary conversion, and build an environment where agriculture becomes profitable.

Best regards,

Abdullah Opeyemi Akande
B.Agric. (FUNAAB)
GAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Animal Sci. (UI)
RAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Int’l Business (UU, UK)
Ph.D. in view