Agriculture Caoable of Solving 60% of Nigeria’s Problems, Says Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has said that agriculture holds the key to solving more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s economic and social problems if given proper attention.

The governor stated this while speaking at an agricultural stakeholders’ engagement and inspection of food security projects in Ado-Ekiti. He emphasized that his administration has made agriculture a cornerstone of its development agenda to create jobs, ensure food security, and reduce poverty across the state. Oyebanji said agriculture is not just a means of producing food but a powerful tool for economic transformation capable of addressing unemployment, hunger, and rural poverty. According to him, investing in agriculture would significantly reduce the nation’s over-dependence on imports and stimulate local production. My belief is that agriculture can solve more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s problems. If we focus on agriculture, we will create jobs, reduce hunger, and empower our youth and women,” the governor said. Highlighting some of his government’s efforts, Oyebanji noted that Ekiti State has launched several initiatives aimed at encouraging youth participation in agriculture, including the “Bring Back the Youth in Agriculture” programme, farm cluster schemes, and funding support for agribusiness startups. He said these programmes were designed to turn subsistence farming into commercial ventures while boosting the state’s internally generated revenue. He added that the state government has also provided grants, seedlings, fertilizers, and mechanized farming tools to support farmers, while security measures have been strengthened in farm settlements to ensure the safety of farmers and their produce. The governor called on the federal government and development partners to increase investment in agricultural mechanization, rural infrastructure, and access to credit facilities. He said such collaboration would help scale up successful state-level interventions across the country. Oyebanji reiterated his commitment to making Ekiti a model of modern agricultural development, stressing that agriculture remains Nigeria’s most reliable path to economic stability and inclusive growth. Observers have commended the governor’s proactive approach, noting that if replicated nationwide, the agricultural sector could significantly reduce unemployment and poverty levels while stabilizing the economy.