Dr. Olaiwola Ogunpaimo advocates massive agricultural investments as solution to Nigeria’s unemployment and poverty level

An expert in the field of Animal Breeding and Genetics, and agricultural business, Dr. Olaiwola Ogunpaimo has advocated for massive agricultural investments as solution to unemployment and poverty level in Nigeria.

The expert made the assertion while delivering a virtual lecture to a large group of supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on “Harnessing business opportunities in Agriculture
utilizing local and international opportunities”.

Speaking from a multifaceted experience, Dr Olaiwola, a former President of the Students Union at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta gave an insight into Nigeria’s unemployment and poverty level, and suggested various ways on how reorganisation and massive investments into the agricultural industry can provide the solution that the country is waiting for.

While making references to different reputable national and international sources, Dr. Olaiwola Ogunpaimo mentioned that Nigeria’s unemployment rate is 33.3% according to the Nigeria
Bureau of Statistics and Nigerians within the age range of 15 to 34 years old constitute about 42.6% of the total percentage. He also said that 82.9 million Nigerians were living in poverty in
2021 with 40% of this number living below 1.9 dollars per day according to National Social Safety Nets Coordination Office and World Bank respectively.

According to Dr. Olaiwola Ogunpaimo, the hoe and cutlass approach cannot provide the needed agricultural breakthrough that Nigeria needs and cannot solve the hydra headed problem of unemployment.

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In his words, : ” With the type of hoe and cutlass means of farming that mostly dominate the Nigerian agricultural space, it may be difficult for the new administration to address the current unemployment and poverty levels.

Based on current reality and unfolding events in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, Dr.Olaiwola Ogunpaimo maintained that a country like Nigeria with more than 70 million hectares of land, 180 million Livestock and over 210 million population already possess what is required to break the shackles of poverty and unemployment for its citizens.

Hence, Dr. Olaiwola Ogunpaimo implores the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give Agriculture, particularly crop and Livestock production, fisheries and forestry a topmost priority in his government especially in the areas of making feasible,
sustainable and impactful policies and programs that are capable of improving the current status of the economy as well as creating massive job opportunities for the people.

According to Ogunpaimo, strengthening the agricultural sector will have multiplier effects on the economy while also solving the problems of unemployment.

“With concerted efforts and maximum support for Agriculture, the poverty and unemployment levels will be reduced, internally generated revenue will increase and the overall effect of this will further strengthen naira against other foreign currencies”