The Senator representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Saliu Mustapha has advocated for prioritising agriculture in local government councils in Nigeria.
He made this remark while speaking in Ilorin at the dinner and award night of the Correspondence Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara state Council.
Senator Mustapha called for constitutional amendments to reassign the core responsibilities of the Local Government Areas to agriculture, underscoring the vital role this sector could play in revolutionising the country’s economic development.
Represented by his aide and a senior lawyer, Abdulkareem Alabi, Senator Mustapha, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, stressed that agriculture should no longer be viewed as a secondary issue or left solely to private enterprise.
Focus on Agriculture
Instead, the Lawmaker urged for a nationwide strategy where local governments are constitutionally mandated to focus on agriculture as their primary function.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and it holds the key to addressing unemployment, food insecurity, and rural developments” Senator Mustapha stated.
“For too long, our local governments have been distracted by peripheral responsibilities. It is time we refocus their energies on what really matters – agriculture and rural developments.”
He argued that local government areas is closer to the grassroots, are in a prime position to facilitate agricultural development and rural transformation, both of which are crucial for food security and economic growth.
According to Senator Mustapha, Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenues has not only left the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations but also stunted the growth of its agricultural sector, which remains the largest employer of labor in the country.
By institutionalising agriculture as the central focus of LGAs, the senator believes Nigeria can unlock vast economic potentials, improve livelihoods, and ensure sustainable development.
“In India as in Brazil, the local government plays a crucial role in agriculture. Brazilian municipalities are deeply involved in managing rural extension services, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring that smallholder farmers have access to resources. This model has contributed to Brazil becoming one of the world’s largest agricultural producers, particularly in soybeans, sugar, and beef.”
Senator Mustapha noted that these international models demonstrate how empowering local governments to prioritize agriculture can yield significant dividends.
He said countries like India and Brazil have transformed their economies through localised agricultural development, meaning that Nigeria could replicate these successes if it realigns its focus.
Lateefah Ibrahim
