Senator Highlights LGs as Crucial to Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution

Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has urged for a renewed emphasis on agricultural development, highlighting it as the core responsibility of local government councils in Nigeria.

Speaking at the grand finale of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kwara State chapter’s press week on Thursday in Ilorin, Senator Mustapha emphasized the need for constitutional amendments to reassign the core functions of local governments to agriculture. He emphasized the crucial role this sector plays in driving the nation’s economic growth.

Represented by his aide, Abdulkareem Alabi, a senior lawyer, Senator Mustapha, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, argued that agriculture should not be relegated to a secondary concern or left entirely to private enterprises.

Instead, he advocated for a national strategy that mandates local governments to prioritize agriculture as their primary duty.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and it holds the key to addressing unemployment, food insecurity, and rural development,” Senator Mustapha stated.

“For too long, our local governments have been distracted by peripheral responsibilities. It is time to refocus their energies on what truly matters—agriculture and rural development.”

He highlighted that local governments, being closer to the grassroots, are in an ideal position to facilitate agricultural advancement and rural transformation—both essential for food security and economic growth.

Senator Mustapha pointed out that Nigeria’s overreliance on oil revenues has not only made the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations but also stunted the growth of its agricultural sector, which remains the largest employer of labor.

By making agriculture the central focus of local governments, he believes Nigeria can unlock vast economic potential, improve livelihoods, and ensure sustainable development.

Citing international examples, the senator mentioned that in countries like India and Brazil, local governments play a pivotal role in agricultural management.

“Brazilian municipalities are deeply involved in managing rural extension services, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring that smallholder farmers have access to necessary resources. This model has contributed to Brazil becoming one of the world’s largest agricultural producers, particularly in soybeans, sugar, and beef,” he explained.

Thus, he concluded that these international models demonstrate how empowering local governments to prioritize agriculture can yield significant benefits.

“We have seen how countries like India and Brazil have transformed their economies through localized agricultural development. There is no reason Nigeria cannot replicate these successes if we realign our focus.”