A Prescription For Nigeria's Security And Youth Empowerment

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo declares himself a ‘madman for agriculture’
Advocates for agribusiness as a solution to unemployment and insecurity
Calls for making agriculture more appealing to Nigerian youths

Eko Hot Blog reports that in a passionate address at the 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging in Lagos, former President Olusegun Obasanjo dubbed himself a ‘madman for agriculture,’ underscoring his unwavering commitment to the sector.

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Obasanjo stressed the need to promote agribusiness as a means to achieve food security, employment, and wealth creation, while also addressing the alarming rise of insecurity in the country. “Part of our insecurity is men and women that are not properly engaged,” he stated, linking unemployment to the surge in banditry and kidnappings plaguing Nigeria.

Emphasizing the importance of engaging Nigerian youths in agriculture, Obasanjo said, “If we are able to give them employment, there will be less of them getting involved in banditry, in kidnapping, and in doing various other criminal activities that they get involved in.”

The former president acknowledged the reluctance of young Nigerians to embrace agriculture, often preferring the entertainment industry. “We have to make agriculture glamorous because these youths make money that way (through music), and then you are asking them to come to the farm. They won’t want to,” he remarked.

Obasanjo emphasized the need for policymakers to ensure consistency, enabling farmers to establish both short and long-term targets without fear of disruptive policy changes. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of providing single-digit loans to farmers, noting that agribusinesses cannot thrive under the burden of double-digit interest rates.

In his signature candid style, Obasanjo recounted a friend’s remark that he must be a ‘madman’ for his passion for agriculture. “A friend of mine said to me, you must be a madman. I asked him what he meant, and he said if I was not a madman, I would not have gone into agriculture. So, I am a madman for agriculture. When it has to do with agriculture, you can be sure that when you call me, I will answer,” he stated.

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