Nigeria’s Reliance on Oil, Neglect of Agricultural Sector Remain Bane of Food Insecurity, Says Shettima

 Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said that  Nigeria’s reliance on oil since the early 70s and the neglect of the agricultural sector are responsible for what has today become a national security challenge in the form of food insecurity.

Shettima stated this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital yesterday in his lecture delivered at the 13th convocation of an Islamic-based university, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.

The themed of the lecture is ‘Addressing Nigeria’s Food Security Challenges Through Hi-Tech Approach: The Role of Nigerian Universities’.

He said the challenge assumed a disturbing proportion as a result of policy inconsistencies, mismanagement of resources, corruption, climate change, insurgencies, natural disasters, among others.

 He pointed out that,  “It is only when Nigeria as a nation begins to think boldly about revolutionising production, processing and guaranteeing sustained food security that it can identify sectors of the nation’s agricultural assets that are most likely to benefit from the application of technology.”

Shettima said Nigeria’s future can be secured by agricultural revolution through imaginative and bold leadership, a secure and peaceful environment, and a sound education system that does not reduce the limit of the citizens to only the sky.

“The final issue involves the choices Nigerians have to make regarding our future. We can overcome insecurity if we can grow our economy to radically reduce our poverty levels. Only an agricultural revolution can guarantee this.

“We can reduce our dependence on the rest of the world when we can employ all who seek employment. We can improve our levels of political cohesion when we reduce stress around diminishing resources and rely more on what we all have in abundance, he stressed.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the nexus between food production and national security, and has declared a state of emergency on food security alongside a policy commitment to improve productivity by injecting more funds in the sector.

The VP noted that, “Tertiary institutions are playing critical roles in assisting the federal government to promote food security in Nigeria through research and the integration of agricultural study in their curriculum”.

He said no appreciable progress can be made in agricultural production without mechanisation, calling for increased and efficient use of modern technology to maximise yield.