Nigeria has no reason to be poor, says Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has said that there is ‘No reason Nigeria should be a poor Nation.”

The monarch also emphasised the untapped potential of cassava derivatives, such as sorbitol, starch, and ethanol, industries worth billions of dollars globally but underutilised in Nigeria.

He also praised a farming facility, Agbeyewa Farms, for its transformative efforts in Ekiti North, turning a once insecure area into a thriving hub for cassava cultivation.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, the monarch commended the bold initiative to convert over 20,000 hectares of land into mechanised cassava plantations, describing it as a groundbreaking step toward redefining Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

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The statement noted that the initiative is not just about farming, saying, “It is about rewriting the narrative of a community previously defined by fear and insecurity. The project aims to bolster food security, attract foreign investment, and generate countless job opportunities for residents by turning what was once a ‘kidnappers axis’ into a land of opportunity.

“Over two days, the Ooni toured the expansive farms, which span five communities, including Ipao and Itapaji. Witnessing Agbeyewa’s advanced agricultural techniques firsthand, he expressed admiration for their innovative practices and commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing cassava production challenges.”

Speaking during the visit, the statement quoted the monarch to have said, “I’m here to see things for myself because seeing is believing. Agbeyewa has established itself as the largest cassava producer in Nigeria. There is absolutely no reason why we should be a poor nation.”

Highlighting the farm’s ability to achieve unprecedented yields of over 30 tons per hectare—compared to the national average of 4 to 6 tons—he praised the management’s cultivation of drought-resistant cassava varieties as a model for innovation in agriculture.

Referring to President Bola Tinubu’s, opinion on mechanised farming, Ogunwusi remarked, “We cannot continue to farm with outdated methods. Agbeyewa Farms is showing us that innovation is not just an option—it’s a necessity. They are leading the way in proving that agriculture can be both profitable and transformative.”

Addressing broader issues in the agricultural sector, the monarch called for urgent action to resolve the security challenges that deter farmers from cultivating their lands.

“Nigerians have often been wary of doing the hard part of agriculture, but it’s time we face these challenges. Our nation depends on it. I’m taking it upon myself to be a major advocate for combating insecurity in agriculture.

“The current administration is making progress, but we need to be more serious as a nation. We must unite and face these challenges head-on to secure a brighter future for agriculture and for Nigeria as a whole.”