Bago’s Drive: Leveraging Commercial Agriculture to Prevent Future Protests 2
By Sani Danaudi Mohammed
The nationwide hunger protest has undoubtedly paralyzed the nation’s economy, accounting for billions of naira in lost properties. Pictorially, the protest has done more harm than good to the lives of average citizens, including the government itself.
What was expected to be a peaceful protest has turned violent in most states across Northern Nigeria. Long before now, the North was already on high alert, considering its unproductive population and inconsistent regional policies. Youth unemployment is becoming increasingly complex to manage and has reached a stage beyond manageability, considering the number of graduating students from Nigerian tertiary institutions every year.
The first challenge is the lack of commitment on the part of the Nigerian government, which is the leading model in the country’s policy direction. The second challenge is the inconsistency of the country’s Land Use Act. Borno, Kano, and Kaduna States are under 24-hour curfews. Few other local governments in Plateau, Yobe, and Bauchi States have not been spared, as their governors were left with no option but to follow suit to prevent further breakdowns in law and order.
The sad reality was predicted by experts, as the protest was hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in looting, vandalism, and destruction of properties worth billions of naira. The North, as a matter of urgency, must increase its funding for education, provide interest-free loans, and encourage its population to go back to farms and invest heavily in critical infrastructures.
The urgent need for the region’s stakeholders, particularly the governors, is to prioritize policies and programs with a human face. For instance, in Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago has introduced an ecosystem that will export completed goods to other nations. Effectively, the area from Shiroro Dam will utilize about 140km of water irrigation.
Though the state currently has 400 hydropower dams, work has advanced to the point where 80 megawatts of additional power will be added to Airport City to ensure stable power. Interestingly, the state government has purchased 1,000 distinct agricultural and irrigation pieces of equipment, 500 large-capacity tractors, 500 harvesters of various capacities, 200 power tillers, and other items worth billions of naira.
Over 250,000 hectares of arable land are being cultivated in Niger State for the rainy season. Commercial agriculture can contribute significantly to peace by raising income levels and employment, thereby reducing the social frustrations that make recruitment of youths to destroy what they ought to protect.
The youths represent more than 70% of the Nigerian population, with the chunk of this number in the Northern part, which calls for an expanded action by the Governors of the region. The economic potentials of agriculture are enormous, with high revenue yields from both domestic value addition and derived income, as well as revenues for the government.
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This protest has exposed the weakness of our institutions at the regional level and States level, which calls for an urgent restructuring of the current political structure to make other federating units more functional and effective. The greater percentage of these protesters falls between the ages of 20 and below, which is not only alarming but sparks a new conversation about the future of the North.
The region can be secure and free from any violence, including future protests, if the youths are actively engaged in commercial agriculture. It is unfortunate that they are destroying huge investments of governments and private-owned businesses due to idleness. The saying of J.F. Kennedy, “if you do not provide for the poor, you cannot protect the rich,” has manifested in the North during this protest.
These young Nigerians from the North lack both religious and western education, above all, employment/empowerment to be self-sufficient. They have been abandoned, and many were born during crises, making them believe that conflicts can never be managed by guns but through active youth engagement.
The North must wake up and take the bull by the horns. The Governors of the region must come together and fashion out a workable plan to engage the teeming youths in commercial agriculture. This will not only reduce unemployment but also increase the region’s GDP.
While road construction is important, human development through commercial agriculture is crucial for preventing future protests in Nigeria. Two weeks ago, I published an article titled “Bago’s Drive: Ending Northern Insecurity through Agricultural Industrialization” in the Blueprint Newspapers, emphasizing the need for Northern Governors to prioritize commercial agriculture to restore the region’s dignity.
According to the FAO, the world’s arable land decreased by nearly a third since 1961 due to reforestation, soil erosion, and desertification caused by global climate change. Nigeria, with its vast arable land and diverse agricultural resources, can harness this potential. The country has over 36.9 million hectares of arable land, the largest in Africa, and a population of over 200 million.
President Tinubu has promised to revitalize the agricultural sector, and initiatives like the “Women in Agric Support Program” and the Young Farmers Club are supporting this effort. Enhancing local produce and advancing the agriculture value chain can boost food security and tame consumer price inflation. Farmers need support with farm equipment and fertilizers.
China’s economic reform, which lifted over 800 million people out of poverty in 34 years, serves as a lesson for Nigeria, particularly in the North, which has been affected by armed bandits. The Niger State Governor is making effective use of resources to revive the economy through commercial agriculture, renewable energy, and other initiatives. Other Governors should follow this path to prevent future protests by addressing unemployment and education among youths.
Umar Mohammed Bago’s initiative in Niger State is a good example. If other Governors can replicate this, the North will be on its way to becoming the food basket of the nation. The time to act is now. The future of the North and Nigeria depends on it.
Danaudi, Public Affairs Analyst writes from Bauchi Via [email protected].
