Aig-Imoukhuede at FUNAAB: Reimagine Agriculture as the Future of Work

By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Femi Dansu

Nigeria’s pathway to sustainable jobs, inclusive growth and long-term national resilience lies not in fear of automation, but in the deliberate reinvention of agriculture as a coordinated, system-driven engine of work. This was the central argument advanced by a world renowned banker, investor and philanthropist, Barr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, at the 33rd Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), held on January 30, 2026, at the Red Chamber.

Speaking on the theme “Agriculture, the Future of Work, and the University as Catalyst,” Barr. Aig-Imoukhuede challenged policymakers, universities and graduates to look beyond traditional narratives of farming and recognise agriculture as Nigeria’s most scalable platform for dignified employment, innovation and national transformation, if properly governed and coordinated.

The lecture formed a central intellectual pillar which has reinforced the University’s growing reputation as a global thought leader at the intersection of agriculture, governance and development.

In the Lecture, Barr. Aig-Imoukhuede noted that while global discourse on the future of work was dominated by automation and artificial intelligence, Africa’s more urgent challenge is the creation of productive, sustainable and large-scale employment for its youthful population. Agriculture, he argued, offers a unique comparative advantage. “Agriculture is not merely about farming,” he said. “It is a complex system encompassing science, engineering, logistics, finance, technology, regulation and trade. No other sector matches its capacity to create jobs across skill levels, income bands and rural–urban divides while strengthening food security and national resilience.”

Drawing lessons from the biblical account of Joseph in Egypt and Brazil’s agricultural transformation, he emphasised that agriculture becomes truly transformative only when treated as an integrated system rather than a series of isolated interventions. Turning to Nigeria, he observed that despite vast arable land, human capital and a large domestic market, the country remained a net food importer due to weak coordination rather than a lack of ideas or effort.
“Nigeria’s agricultural story is not one of failure,” he stated, “but one of unfinished architecture.”

He urged graduates to see agriculture as a modern, technology-enabled and value-chain-driven career space, noting that the most significant employment opportunities lie beyond the farm gate, in storage, processing, logistics, quality assurance, branding and export markets. He also cautioned against over-reliance on technology without strong institutions and governance, stressing that enduring transformation required patient capital, credible systems and consistent leadership.

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Addressing the graduating class, directly, Barr. Aig-Imoukhuede called for adaptability, lifelong learning and civic responsibility, reminding them that Nigeria’s future depends on builders of systems, not spectators.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, welcomed guests and described the Convocation Lecture as a celebration of excellence, learning and institutional pride. He noted that the Lecture remained a defining intellectual tradition of the University, providing a platform for critical engagement with national and global challenges. He, however, expressed confidence in FUNAAB’s commitment to excellence, innovation and national development.

The lecture was chaired by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, who called for a fundamental rethinking of Nigeria’s University education system, particularly universities of agriculture. He urged such institutions to align more deliberately with national development priorities and the future aspirations of Nigerian youth. He raised concerns over youth unemployment and unemployability, warning of their implications for social stability and national cohesion.

He advocated a balanced educational model that combines manpower development with character formation and urged universities to embrace emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, GIS and the Internet of Things, to drive smart agriculture and innovative agribusiness. He also called for sustainability-driven research, innovation hubs and community-focused solutions, particularly for rural development.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Olaopa identified key reforms needed to reposition Nigeria’s university system, including greater institutional autonomy, improved funding through public-private partnerships and a more developmental approach to industrial relations.

The 33rd Convocation Lecture thus underscored FUNAAB’s role as a global knowledge hub and catalyst for ideas capable of reshaping agriculture, governance and the future of work in Africa, while positioning the University at the forefront of debates shaping Nigeria’s long-term development trajectory.