IITA DG Advocates Local Production Of Foods In Nigeria To Reduce Growth Of Unemployment

Director-General of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, has urged the Nigerian government to provide more jobs and reduce unemployment by reducing importation of foods that can be produced in the country.

Dr. Sanginga made this assertion at the 2021 OYO STATE AGRIBUSINESS SUMMIT, that took place in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday.

The IITA Boss explained that Nigeria spends 11 billion dollars on importing of foods which inevitably provides jobs for the citizens of the selling foreign nations.

Sanginga believes the unemployment rate in Nigeria, which stands at 60% can be reduced to 7% should production of food produce be taken seriously.

“Agriculture in the future can be worth trillions of dollars if we engage the sector aggressively and not as passive as we currently have it,” he stressed.

Dr Sanginga lauded the efforts of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who keeps doing everything in his power to upgrade the agriculture sector.

Financial institutions Wema Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank among others were present to deliver their goodwill messages.

Governor Makinde, a self confessed land grabber popularly called ‘Omonile’ much to the amusement of those present at the summit revealed that his government are working on policies to stimulate the growth of Agriculture in the state.