Author: Adewale Kupoluyi
Unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges facing young people today, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Every year, thousands of graduates enter the labour market with high hopes, only to encounter limited job opportunities. In my view, one of the most practical and sustainable solutions to this growing problem is youth involvement in farming. Agriculture, often underestimated and overlooked, holds immense potential, not just for food production, but for employment generation and economic transformation in many ways. First, farming offers immediate and accessible employment opportunities. Unlike many white-collar jobs that require years of specialised training or limited vacancies,…
The President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, has called on the government to establish a strong policy to guarantee investment in the waste disposal sector. Adebola noted this during a recent event in Lagos, hosted by the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria. He said, “It is not just about money, because there is a lot of policy inconsistency and that is where we are. We are where we are. So, everything should be good, and it should be used by the private sector. The government has no business being in business. The government in…
Policymakers, researchers, and development partners have charted a coordinated pathway for transforming Nigeria’s agri-food system, with a strong push for aligning policy, evidence, and implementation to deliver measurable impact. They converged at a recent policy dialogue in Abuja, organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and other partners, which brought together representatives from more than seven federal ministries, including Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources, Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as Youth Development. Speaking at the session, Country Programme Leader, IFPRI-Nigeria, Oliver Kirui, said the engagement came at a critical moment…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of thunderstorms, rainfall, and strong winds across parts of the country on Monday, April 13, urging residents and operators to take safety precautions. In its forecast released, NiMet said northern states will experience sunny conditions in the morning, with isolated thunderstorms over Adamawa and Taraba expected later in the day. It added that hot and sunny conditions will prevail in most areas during the morning, before giving way to localised rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds in the afternoon and evening. For the central region, the agency projected cloudy conditions in the morning with intervals of sunshine,…
The European Union, alongside the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, has called for urgent action to end food waste and promote sustainable consumption and production. They groups noted that when food is wasted, the water, energy, and labour that went into producing it are also wasted, while accelerating climate change and undermining global efforts to build a zero-waste circular future. This was disclosed in a statement by the EU delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Speaking in Abuja, during the commemoration of this year’s International Zero Waste Day, with the theme “Food waste reduction: Minimisation…
The Senate has intensified efforts to reposition Nigeria’s agricultural colleges and research institutions by seeking support from key global partners for reforms, technology transfer, and investment. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the committee had engaged diplomatic missions of Malaysia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as part of broader plans to revitalise agricultural education and research in the country. He noted that the National Assembly is committed to leveraging international expertise to improve productivity, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote…
Global food commodity prices rose for a second consecutive month in March, driven largely by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Near East. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations said in its report released. The FAO Food Price Index, a benchmark that tracks monthly changes in international prices of a basket of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, representing a 2.4% increase from February and standing 1.0% higher than its level a year earlier. “Price indices across all commodity groups, such as cereals, meat, dairy, vegetable oils, and sugar, rose to varying degrees, reflecting not…
The World Bank has approved a US$500 million International Development Association credit to boost Nigeria’s agriculture sector under a new programme targeting smallholder farmers, value chains, and food security. The funding would support the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project, also known as AGROW, which aims to improve productivity, strengthen market linkages, and create jobs across the country. A press statement obtained from the World Bank’s website read, “The World Bank has approved a US$500 million International Development Association credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project, aimed at increasing smallholder farmers’ productivity, strengthening agricultural value chains, and creating jobs…
German companies are intensifying their focus on Nigeria’s rapidly growing food sector, projected to reach Euros€222bn by 2026, as both nations seek deeper cooperation to enhance food security and drive economic growth. Trade between Germany and Nigeria reflects growing economic ties. According to Trading Economics, Germany’s exports to Nigeria nearly doubled from US$500 million in 2021 to US$963.4 million in 2024, driven by machinery, vehicles, chemicals, electronics, and agricultural inputs. Nigeria exports cocoa and related products to Germany, further strengthening bilateral trade. Speaking at a recent networking reception in Lagos for a German business delegation attending Agrofood Nigeria 2026, the German Consul-General,…
As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Transport Unit of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Kogi State, has embarked on a large-scale tree-planting exercise and distribution of seedlings in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Forests. In a statement, the company disclosed that 13 schools were also provided with seedlings, even as it planted hundreds of trees. Speaking at the event, the Divisional Director Transport, Col. Hemant Rana (rtd), said, “Forests play a vital role in regulating our climate, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential resources for humans”. Rana, represented by the Assistant Divisional Director, Transport, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu, stated…
