Obasanjo: Agriculture is Nigeria’s path to job creation, wealth, and food security

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has again emphasized the critical role of agriculture in tackling Nigeria’s pressing economic and social challenges. According to him, the sector remains the most viable avenue for job creation, wealth generation, and ensuring food security for Nigeria’s over 250 million population.

Obasanjo made this assertion on Tuesday during the commissioning ceremony of the first ultra-modern seed processing plant established by Premier Seed Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with Propcom+, a UK-funded program promoting climate-smart agriculture.

Speaking at the event which took place at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadinkowa, Gombe State, the former president, who has long been an ardent advocate of agribusiness and rural development, stated that, “Agriculture is not just an economic activity; it is a national security imperative. It has the capacity to employ Nigeria’s teeming youth, create sustainable wealth, and most importantly, guarantee food security for our people.”

However, Obasanjo particularly emphasized the indispensable role of quality seed in the agricultural value chain. He stressed, “Seed is the most indispensable input in agriculture. If you don’t get the seed component right, the entire value chain becomes shaky.”

The former president commended Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, for establishing the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, which he described as “a noble initiative and a catalyst for sustainable economic development.” He noted that the proximity of the park to the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant strategically positions Gombe for rapid industrialization.

On his part, Governor Yahaya described the commissioning as a landmark achievement in his administration’s drive for agricultural transformation and industrial growth in Gombe.

He stated, “This event marks a significant milestone in our efforts to position Gombe as a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria. Premier Seed Nigeria Limited, as the pioneer investor in this Industrial Park, is helping us translate our vision into reality.”

He further commended Obasanjo for his enduring contributions to agricultural development and underscored the importance of the Dadinkowa Dam and Hydropower facilities in driving the state’s economic ambitions.

Also speaking at the event, the Country Director of Propcom+, Dr. Abiye Ode, highlighted that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s 12-point agenda on food security and applauded the collaboration between public and private actors in delivering tangible agricultural impact.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Futuhu Mohammed, praised the initiative, reaffirming the council’s commitment to maintaining quality assurance in seed production for farmers across the country.

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“This facility supports the Federal Government’s agenda to reposition agriculture as a core driver of employment and economic development,” he noted.

The NASC is the principal institution responsible for the overall development and regulation of the national seed industry in Nigeria, including quality control and certification.

While appreciating the former President, the Gombe state governor, and other guests for attending the commissioning ceremony, the Managing Director of Premier Seed Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ibitoye Oyewale, stated that the factory is the result of a collaborative effort between his company and Propcom.

He noted that the initiative is designed to support farmers with certified, high-yielding seeds, thus promoting sustainable farming practices across the country.

Oyewale explained that the plant is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for cleaning, grading, treating, and packaging of certified, high-quality, and climate-resilient seed varieties, with the ultimate goal of closing the gap in local seed supply.

He also extended appreciation to the UK-funded Propcom+ program for supporting the establishment of the factory to provide farmers in Gombe and other Northeast states with much-needed improved seeds and seedlings for climate-smart agriculture.