Dare Babalola
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged Nigeria to refocus its priorities and leverage its vast agricultural potential to tackle hunger and drive economic growth.
Speaking at the Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference 2025 in Abuja, Obi emphasised that Nigeria’s vast arable land and human capital make it capable of achieving self-sufficiency in food production and becoming a major exporter.
Using Bangladesh as a case study, Obi highlighted the country’s impressive rice production, which is almost ten times that of Nigeria despite having a landmass comparable to just two of Nigeria’s largest states, Niger and Borno.
Obi attributed Nigeria’s food security challenges to misplaced priorities, lack of commitment, and inadequate leadership focus, rather than a lack of capacity. He stressed that the country’s potential can only be unlocked through a shift from consumption to production, and from dependency to productivity.
During the event, Obi also visited local food stands showcasing innovative solutions, including AACE Foods, SEM Food and Prices, Dmore Foods, and CHC Agritech Africa, and commended their efforts in driving progress through MSMEs and agricultural value chain development.
He called on the government to create an enabling environment that supports entrepreneurs, farmers, and youths, emphasizing that agriculture has the potential to surpass oil as Nigeria’s major revenue earner.
“It is time for Nigeria to realise that we can earn more from agriculture than from oil,” Obi stated, urging Nigerians to work towards a future where the country is productive, self-sufficient, and prosperous.
