Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigeria to move beyond mere survival and position itself as a continental leader in agricultural innovation and food production.
Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday at the opening of the maiden National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He was represented at the event by the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ashiru Oyetola.
The summit had the theme: “Unfolding the Potential of Agricultural Colleges and Institutions through Collaboration and Innovation to Enhance Food Security and Job Creation.”
Akpabio said Nigeria must transition from dependence to competitiveness, stressing that national prosperity is deeply rooted in agriculture and innovation.
“We must move from potential to performance. The story of great nations teaches us that prosperity often begins from the soil.
“Many of today’s industrial giants first built strong agricultural foundations before expanding into manufacturing and technology.
“Agriculture built economies before oil ever did. This summit, therefore, is not simply about colleges and institutions. It is about the future of Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the future of agriculture depends on innovation, research, and collaboration, rather than traditional practices alone.
“The future belongs to innovators, creators, problem-solvers and builders,” he said, adding that agriculture offers vast opportunities for enterprise, job creation, and technological advancement.
Akpabio also urged researchers and academics to intensify efforts in producing practical solutions that would drive national food security and economic growth.
“The farmer of the 21st century must become not only a cultivator of crops, but also a manager of science, information, and enterprise,” he said.
He stressed that agricultural institutions must be strengthened as key drivers of national development, describing them as “laboratories of national survival” and “incubators of innovation.”
According to him, nations that neglect agriculture risk hunger, while those that invest in it secure stability, employment, and economic sovereignty.
Akpabio further noted that Nigeria is blessed with vast arable land, diverse ecological zones, and a large youth population, but has yet to fully harness these advantages for sustainable prosperity.
He lamented that the agricultural sector still relies heavily on subsistence farming, with limited integration between research institutions and practical application.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, said the summit was aimed at repositioning agricultural institutions as drivers of food security, innovation, and job creation.
He explained that the gathering brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration within the agricultural value chain.
Alli commended the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for hosting the event, describing it as a vital platform for policy dialogue and innovation exchange.
He said the summit would focus on legislative frameworks, institutional collaboration, curriculum development, investment attraction, and job creation strategies to strengthen the agricultural sector.
