Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has criticised Nigeria’s over-dependence on imported goods and the nation’s lack of commitment to agriculture, warning that without urgent intervention, Nigeria could one day find itself importing palm wine, a staple local drink, from China.
Uzodimma issued this caution over the weekend while delivering a pre-convocation lecture at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. He called for significant investment in agriculture as a means to revitalise Nigeria’s struggling economy.
The Governor lamented that, despite Nigeria’s large population and vast arable land, the country still struggles to feed its citizens and provide jobs for its youth. He stated, “any country which cannot feed itself is not indeed sovereign.”
“I’m of the view that agriculture remains the basis for national development and national security,” Uzodinma added.
He expressed regret that after the discovery of crude oil, Nigeria had abandoned agriculture, which had been the backbone of the economy before independence.
“We adopted petro-dollar and orphaned agri-dollar,” the Governor lamented, noting that “a volatile commodity like crude oil quickly toppled agriculture as our biggest source of foreign exchange.”
Represented by his Commissioner for Education, Professor Victor Nwachukwu, Uzodinma urged fellow Governors to emulate the late Michael Okpara’s green revolution and return to an era where agriculture significantly contributed to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, and other senior government officials.
Uzodimma also challenged regional organisations, such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South East Economic Development Fund, to pool resources for research aimed at modernising and enhancing food production in Igbo land.
“I’m sure every Igbo man would like to see the return of ehi Igbo (local cow). I would personally want to see the improved and fast-growing species of ‘okuko Igbo (local fowls), and ‘ewu Igbo’ which are now going extinct. What about our prized asset ‘ngwo’ (raffia palm trees)—that unique tree that produces the best palm wine?
“If we do not do the needful, we will one day be importing palm wine and ‘ugba’ (local delicacy) from China,” he warned.
Uzodimma also criticised lecturers in universities of agriculture, urging them to go beyond theoretical instruction and actively engage in farming. “How many of you here eat bananas and plantains harvested from your farm?” he asked.
He called on universities of agriculture to take a leading role in research and innovation, providing practical knowledge and strategies for improving agricultural practices, similar to the approach of foreign institutions.
“Universities can invent and develop new machines and equipment that meet the needs of farmers. But most importantly, our universities of agriculture can train farmers on new farming techniques, such as the use of innovative technologies to improve productivity,” Uzodinma said.
The Governor advocated for the establishment of agro-processing factories to process raw farm produce, arguing that it was economically unsound for Nigeria to export cocoa to Europe only to import costly cocoa products in return.
He asserted, “a country that achieves success in agriculture will most likely fast-track its national development.”
“A nation that records progress in agriculture will experience a leap in national development through food security, employment generation, particularly in the rural areas, poverty reduction, rural development, sustainable and industrial development, social stability, and finally, trade and foreign exchange earnings.”
“Agriculture is a fundamental pillar for national development influencing economic stability and environmental sustainability,” he added.
Uzodimma reflected on how Malaysia, which once came to Nigeria to collect palm fruits, has since become the world’s leading producer and exporter of palm oil. He noted that agriculture accounts for 8 per cent of Malaysia’s GDP and employs 10 per cent of the workforce.
The Governor pointed out that it was shameful that Ukraine, despite being at war for nearly three years, remains the world’s leading exporter of wheat, while Nigeria, in a time of peace, struggles to feed its population.