Author: Adewale Kupoluyi

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has observed that inflation and insecurity are some of the major factors affecting seamless supply of food in the country, as the marginal increase in Nigeria’s headline inflation rose to 15.69% in April 2026 from 15.38% in March, according to the latest statistics. In a statement signed by the Director-General of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, the increase reflects persistent cost pressures across the economy, the sharp moderation in month-on-month inflation from 4.18% to 2.13% signals a gradual easing in the pace of price increases, and offers cautious optimism for businesses and households. The chamber…

Tigernut drink, popularly known as kunu aya in Northern Nigeria, is a naturally-sweet, dairy-free beverage made from soaked tigernuts blended with water and spices. Creamy, refreshing, and deeply nourishing, this traditional drink has moved from local markets to modern wellness spaces because of its impressive nutritional value. What is tigernut drink (kunu aya)? Tigernut drink is made from small root tubers called tigernuts (also known as chufa). Despite the name, tigernuts are not actually nuts they are nutrient-dense tubers. The drink is traditionally prepared by: · Soaking dried tigernuts · Blending them with water · Straining the milk · Adding natural spices like ginger or dates In many Nigerian homes,…

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has trained 100 small-scale dairy farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s dairy sector and improve local milk production. The ministry disclosed this in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon. According to the statement, the training focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge on dairy farming best practices, improved husbandry techniques, and sustainable approaches to milk production, collection, and processing. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi, said the initiative was critical to improving the capacity of dairy…

The Bank of Agriculture has proposed a nationwide partnership with the House of Representatives to accelerate mechanised farming across 1.2 million hectares in the country’s 360 federal constituencies, in a move aimed at boosting food production and tackling rural poverty. The Managing Director of the bank, Ayo Sotinriade, unveiled the initiative during a presentation on the floor of the House at a plenary in Abuja. Speaking with journalists shortly after, Sotinriade said the programme is designed to increase agricultural productivity, create jobs, reduce hunger, and address some of the structural drivers of insecurity, noting that, if implemented at scale, the plan would…

In Nigeria, unemployment remains a stubborn reality for many young people. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported youth unemployment at 8.4% in Q1 2024 and 6.5% in Q2 2024, while the youth not in education, employment or training rate, stood at 14.4% in Q1 2024 and labour underutilisation (LU2) was 13.0% in Q2 2024. These figures indicate that a large number of young Nigerians are still outside stable employment, yet agriculture, the sector that could absorb many of them, continues to struggle with youth participation. One of the strongest barriers discouraging young people from farming is land access. Experience on youth-land…

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to empower smallholder farmers in Akwa Ibom State under the FarmerMoni scheme to boost food production and livelihoods. The initiative, part of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, was announced during a sensitisation programme in Uyo, the state capital. The National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Baba, said the intervention targets farmers involved in oil palm, cassava, rice, fisheries, poultry, and coconut value chains. According to him, the scheme will provide recoverable loans with a moratorium of between six and nine months to enable beneficiaries to invest and harvest before repayment. “FarmerMoni specifically targets smallholder farmers, enabling…

Agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and human capital development have been identified as pivotal drivers for sustainable economic expansion in Nigeria in 2026. Unlocking these sectors would, therefore, require decisive implementation through scaling irrigation and agro-value chains, reducing power and logistics costs for manufacturers, and accelerating the delivery of critical infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). This piece of information was given by the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Engr. Leye Kupoluyi in an address he delivered on the State of the Economy. According to the President, being a foremost advocacy body for the private sector in Nigeria, the chamber…

In an era where digital communication shapes opinions, careers, and economic opportunities, social media have become one of the most influential tools among young people in Nigeria. From entertainment to entrepreneurship, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter) now play a central role in how youths interact with the world around them. Yet, one critical area where its potential remains largely untapped is agriculture. Despite agriculture being a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy, youth participation in the sector remains relatively low. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, a significant proportion of Nigerian youths are either unemployed or underemployed, highlighting the urgent need…

The Federal Government has declared that the era of exporting raw shea nuts while importing finished products must come to an end. The government said this position is backed by a bold domestic policy push that has already upended the country’s shea trade in the past eight months. The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, made the assertion when he delivered Nigeria’s address at the ‘Shea 2026: Beyond Borders’ conference in Accra, Ghana. The Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture in the Office of the Vice President and Head of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, Marion Moon, revealed details of the engagement in…

Akara is one of Nigeria’s most beloved traditional foods, crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and packed with flavour. Whether eaten as a quick breakfast, paired with pap (ogi), or enjoyed as a street snack, akara has remained a timeless staple across generations. What is akara? Akara is a deep-fried bean cake made from peeled black-eyed peas blended with pepper, onions, and spices. The mixture is whipped to incorporate air, then fried into golden balls that are light, yet satisfying. Though simple in ingredients, akara requires technique to achieve its signature texture. The cultural significance of akara Akara is…