As the world marks the 2025 World Food Day, the Head of the Due Process and Public Procurement Bureau, Abia State, Dr. Oluebube A. Chukwu, has called on governments at all levels to make strategic and sustained investments in agriculture to ensure food and nutritional security in Nigeria.
Dr. Chukwu made the call while addressing journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, as part of activities commemorating this year’s celebration themed “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” He described the theme as both timely and inspiring, noting that it emphasizes global collaboration among governments, the private sector, researchers, farmers, and civil society to build peaceful, sustainable, and food-secure societies.
He said the annual observance serves as a global platform to raise awareness and inspire action toward ending hunger, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food for all.
The Founder of the Oluebube Chukwu Foundation lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential—with over 84 million hectares of arable land, of which only about 35 percent is cultivated—the nation continues to face food shortages, low productivity, and dependence on imports.
“We cannot continue to depend on food imports when we have the land, manpower, and knowledge to feed ourselves,” Dr. Chukwu said. “It is time for Nigeria to take deliberate steps toward agricultural transformation by investing massively in mechanized farming, irrigation, research, and agricultural value chains.”
He stressed that agriculture remains the foundation of national development, providing food, jobs, and industrial raw materials while driving inclusive economic growth.
“Government must see agriculture not just as a sector but as a strategic investment. We need bold, consistent policies that empower farmers with access to finance, quality inputs, modern equipment, and efficient post-harvest systems,” he added.
Dr. Chukwu commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for prioritizing agricultural revival through the rehabilitation of agricultural institutions, promotion of agribusiness entrepreneurship, and investment in rural infrastructure and irrigation.
“Under Governor Otti, we have witnessed a strategic shift toward agricultural transformation—through farmer support, cooperative farming, and renewed partnerships with development agencies,” he said, describing the reforms as “timely and visionary.”
He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture as a profitable, technology-driven enterprise rather than mere subsistence farming.
“Agriculture today is powered by innovation. With agritech, processing, logistics, and exports, young people can build sustainable livelihoods. Youths must see agriculture as the new oil,” he advised.
Dr. Chukwu further called for a coordinated national approach involving research institutions, policymakers, farmers, and private investors, while encouraging Nigeria to draw lessons from global agrarian success stories in Brazil, Israel, and Kenya.
“Nigeria can learn from Brazil’s agribusiness clusters, Israel’s precision irrigation systems, and Kenya’s youth-focused agritech initiatives,” he said.
He emphasized that investment in agricultural education, rural infrastructure, and research is vital to build farmer capacity and promote adaptive, technology-driven solutions.
Dr. Chukwu concluded that food security is a shared responsibility, stressing that with strong collaboration across governments, private sector, and citizens, Nigeria can build a resilient agricultural system capable of feeding the nation, boosting exports, and driving sustainable economic growth.
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