Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, academic institutions, financial bodies, researchers, investors, and farmers to tackle food insecurity and reposition Nigeria’s agricultural sector for sustainable growth.
Speaking at the first National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions held at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Akpabio said Nigeria’s agricultural future depends largely on innovation, technology, and research driven practices rather than outdated farming methods.
Represented by Deputy Senate Majority Leader Isa Ashiru, the Senate President noted that modern agriculture now revolves around mechanisation, biotechnology, climate adaptation, irrigation systems, and digital solutions capable of improving productivity and strengthening food supply across the country.
According to him, meaningful transformation in the sector can only be achieved through collective efforts involving policymakers, development partners, private investors, technology experts, and farmers working within a unified framework.
He stressed that agriculture should be repositioned as a profitable and attractive venture for young people, adding that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drone operations, greenhouse systems, and digital crop management are shaping the future of farming globally.
Akpabio also reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to policies and programmes aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs, encouraging rural development, and driving agricultural industrialisation.
He warned that rising hunger and food shortages pose serious threats to national stability, economic growth, and social harmony, urging the country to move beyond subsistence farming into agro processing and export driven production.
Director General of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Simeon Ehui, said the organisation remains committed to partnerships that promote food security, youth participation in agribusiness, and technology driven farming solutions across Africa.
Ehui disclosed that the institute recently entered into agreements with the Federal Government to support the establishment of 774 soil testing laboratories nationwide and to strengthen youth focused agricultural development initiatives.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Sharafadeen Alli, described the summit as an avenue for lawmakers, researchers, investors, students, and development partners to discuss practical strategies capable of strengthening agricultural institutions and enhancing innovation within the sector.
He added that the gathering was designed to encourage policy discussions, collaboration, and investment opportunities that would improve Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and contribute to national food security.
