FarmAfrik Chairman Calls for Greater Investment in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Job Creation and Strategic Partnerships
— Chairman of FarmAfrik.org, Les Ojugbana, has called for a renewed commitment to agriculture, manufacturing, and industrial development as part of a broader strategy to drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
Ojugbana said Nigeria possesses the natural resources, fertile land, youthful population, and entrepreneurial spirit required to become one of the world’s leading agricultural and industrial economies, but stressed that achieving this goal will require deliberate investment in local production, value addition, workforce development, and strategic partnerships.
According to him, while imports remain an important component of any modern economy, sustainable national development can only be achieved when countries build strong domestic industries capable of producing goods, creating employment opportunities, and generating wealth.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy will not be determined by what we import, but by what we produce, process, manufacture, and export,” he said.
Agriculture Offers Vast Economic Potential
Ojugbana described agriculture as Nigeria’s greatest untapped economic opportunity, noting that the sector continues to provide livelihoods for millions of Nigerians while possessing enormous potential for expansion.
Despite the country’s agricultural advantages, he observed that challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited mechanization, poor storage facilities, restricted access to finance, and weak value-chain development continue to hinder growth.
He said Nigeria has the capacity not only to achieve food security but also to become a major exporter of agricultural products if the right policies, investments, and partnerships are put in place.
According to him, opportunities exist across several agricultural value chains, including rice, maize, cassava, cocoa, palm oil, livestock, and horticultural production.
“Agriculture should no longer be viewed simply as farming,” he said. “It should be viewed as a complete economic ecosystem encompassing production, processing, logistics, storage, technology, manufacturing, and exports.”
Balancing Imports with Local Production
While acknowledging the importance of international trade, Ojugbana cautioned against excessive reliance on imported products, particularly those that can be produced locally.
He argued that overdependence on imports weakens domestic industries and limits economic opportunities for local businesses and workers.
“When products that can be produced locally are imported in large quantities, we effectively export jobs, investment opportunities, and industrial capacity to other countries,” he said.
He advocated a balanced approach that welcomes imports capable of delivering technology, expertise, and innovation while prioritizing policies that support local production and industrial growth.
Manufacturing Critical to Economic Growth
Ojugbana stressed that Nigeria cannot continue exporting raw materials while importing finished goods if it hopes to achieve sustainable economic development.
He noted that manufacturing has been central to the success of many advanced economies and urged Nigeria to focus on value addition and industrialization.
According to him, every geopolitical region should develop industries based on its comparative advantages and natural resources.
Agricultural zones, he said, should host processing facilities, while industrial centres should focus on machinery production and manufacturing. Resource-rich regions should prioritize value-added production rather than exporting raw materials.
Such an approach, he argued, would stimulate economic activity, strengthen regional economies, create jobs, and increase government revenues.
Youth Employment Must Be a National Priority
The FarmAfrik chairman described Nigeria’s youthful population as one of its greatest strengths and called for greater investment in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and workforce training.
He said employment remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth because it increases spending, supports businesses, and improves productivity.
“Our young people are not a burden; they are one of our greatest national assets,” Ojugbana said. “Given the right opportunities, training, and support, they can become the driving force behind Nigeria’s economic transformation.”
Strategic Partnerships Essential
Ojugbana also emphasized the importance of collaboration between government institutions, private-sector organizations, investors, development agencies, and local communities.
Drawing from his family’s longstanding involvement in business leadership, investment, enterprise development, and organizational transformation, he said meaningful national development is only possible when stakeholders work together.
The Ojugbana family is widely known for its work and investments across multiple sectors of the economy, operating extensively within both the public and private sectors.
Much of that legacy, was established through the pioneering work of Chief F. E. Ojugbana, the family patriarch, who founded Madec Associates more than 50 years ago.
Madec Associates, one of Nigeria’s leading training, management development, and consultancy organizations, with an extensive track record of working with government ministries, public-sector institutions, multinational corporations, indigenous businesses, international development agencies, and private-sector organizations.
Over the decades, the firm has played a significant role in leadership development, capacity building, management consultancy, workforce development, organizational effectiveness, and institutional transformation across numerous sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Ojugbana said growing up within a family deeply involved in business, consulting, training, and development exposed him to the importance of long-term thinking, partnership, and collaboration.
“My experience has taught me that no government, business, or institution can achieve large-scale transformation alone,” he said.
“The most successful economies are built on collaboration between governments, businesses, investors, development partners, and local communities.”
Reflecting on his philosophy toward business and development, he added: “I would much rather have 10 percent of a mega pie than 100 percent of a small pie.”
International Collaboration and Capacity Building
Ojugbana also called for stronger partnerships with international investors, technical experts, development institutions, and research organizations.
According to him, international collaboration provides opportunities for technology transfer, innovation, investment, and operational expertise that can accelerate economic development.
However, he stressed that every partnership must prioritize the training and empowerment of Nigerians.
“Knowledge transfer, skills development, and leadership development must remain at the centre of every partnership,” he said.
“Sustainable development occurs when international expertise helps build local expertise.”
Diversification and Cross-Sector Cooperation
Ojugbana further advocated greater collaboration between agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, technology, finance, infrastructure, transportation, education, and energy.
He noted that successful economies are built on interconnected industries that support and strengthen one another.
Businesses that diversify and collaborate, he said, are often more resilient, innovative, and better positioned for long-term success.
Addressing the Maintenance Challenge
The agribusiness entrepreneur identified poor maintenance culture as one of the major barriers to development across Nigeria and Africa.
While praising Nigerians for their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, he noted that many projects and assets are often neglected after completion.
“Infrastructure is built but not maintained. Equipment is acquired but not serviced. Systems are introduced but not sustained,” he said.
According to him, maintenance should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense, particularly given Nigeria’s youthful workforce, technical expertise, and very low labour costs.
“If we improve how we preserve and manage our assets, we will unlock enormous economic value across every sector of the economy,” he said.
Optimistic About Nigeria’s Future
Despite the challenges facing the country, Ojugbana expressed confidence that Nigeria can become one of the world’s leading agricultural and industrial economies.
He called for sustained investment in agriculture, manufacturing, workforce development, infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and regional industrial development.
“Nigeria possesses the land, resources, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit required to achieve lasting economic transformation,” he said.
“With strategic planning, strong leadership, meaningful partnerships, and a commitment to empowering our people, agriculture can become a powerful engine for economic growth, industrial development, and national prosperity.”
He added: “The opportunity before us is immense. The responsibility is ours. And the time to act is now.”
