A don at Rivers State University who specialises in Food Science and Technology, Prof. Joy Eke-Ejiofor, has said that, outside crude oil, agriculture has the potential to power the nation’s economy, but she lamented that inconsistency in government policies, climate change, among others, is affecting the growth of the sector.
She listed other challenges affecting food production to include low processing and value addition technologies, insecurity, and post-harvest losses.
The agro expert said, “Agriculture accelerates economic growth, sustains progress, and creates employment. So, if you lose 50 per cent of your food production, you have nothing left. If we decide to do agriculture, we will need to be consistent with good policies.”
Prof. Eke-Ejiofor lamented Nigeria’s inability to harness the full potential of cassava, which she said could revolutionise the nation’s economy.
Eke-Ejiofor stated this at the 15th edition of ‘The Make in Nigeria Exhibition,’ which kicked off on September 22 and will end on September 27, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event was co-sponsored by MTN Nigeria as part of its corporate social responsibility activity aimed at promoting Nigeria’s local content drive.
According to her, embarking on strategic innovations towards seed systems improvement, access to market, value chain enhancement, entrepreneurship, and incubation would help revolutionize agriculture in the Niger Delta.
Speaking on the topic Navigating the Challenges of Agribusiness for Sustainable Growth in Nigeria, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Enemi Alabo George, urged the government and its citizens to go back to agriculture.
He said data availability and knowledge acquisition are necessary for one to succeed in any occupation, including agriculture.
Alabo George explained that while knowledge enables informed choices and fosters innovation, efficient systems streamline farm operations and improve productivity, whereas a clear organizational structure aligns resources and goals, supporting sustainable growth.
“Agriculture contributes about 24% of our GDP. We must go back to agriculture as a nation. If we want to be a nation that focuses on agriculture, then we must be intentional about raising farmers,” he said, adding that young farmers and intending agro-investors should, however, subject themselves to mentorship before starting.
The convener, Uche Onochie, said the ‘Make in Nigeria Exhibition’ was informed by the need to assist indigenous companies to showcase and market their brands in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, and, by so doing, compete favourably with foreign companies.
He said, “We’re used to having international brands. A brand speaks for the nation. We think that Nigeria is too gifted and talented and we don’t have our own brand. We needed to have our own brand. That was how we started ‘The Make in Nigeria Project,’ which is aimed to build and showcase Nigerian brands.”
