Why Nigerians Must Return to Agriculture: Afe Babalola Urges Government and Citizens 

Aare Afe Babalola (SAN)

A Call to Go Back to the Land 

Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), respected legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), has called on Nigerians and all levels of government to return to agriculture as a way out of poverty, hunger, and unemployment. He made this appeal during a visit from the Ekiti State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Kayode Fasae, and his team. 

Babalola stressed that Nigeria’s future lies not in oil or foreign aid, but in the land under our feet. 

 Learning from the Past: Obasanjo’s Operation Feed the Nation 

Referencing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Operation Feed the Nation (1976–1979), Babalola described it as a historic example of how agriculture can transform a country. That initiative encouraged mass participation in farming and made food more accessible and affordable for Nigerians. 

Babalola believes it’s time for Nigeria to revive that spirit and build on it for a better future. 

 Agriculture Is the Key to National Development 

According to Babalola, Nigeria has no excuse for its high poverty levels, given the country’s vast land, fertile soil, good weather, and natural resources. He pointed out that before oil was discovered in Oloibiri, Nigeria’s economy depended on agriculture. Each region had its own strength: 

    Cocoa in the West 

    Rubber in the Midwest 

    Timber and palm oil in the East 

    Groundnut and cotton in the North 

The oil boom led Nigeria to abandon these valuable cash crops, a mistake he believes must now be corrected. 

Practical Solutions for a New Agricultural Era 

Babalola urged both government and individuals to support farming at all levels. He suggested that local governments should provide farming tools and machinery for rural farmers. He also called for grassroots efforts like backyard gardening, which can ensure food supply for households and neighbors. 

“When I was growing up, every home had a backyard farm,” Babalola recalled. “People had enough to eat and share. We can return to that lifestyle.” 

“The land is still fertile. The rain is still falling. What we lack is the will to return to the soil that once fed a nation.” — Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) 

ABUAD’s Model: Education Meets Agriculture 

Babalola also shared how ABUAD is leading by example. University is not just about academics; it combines farming, industry, and healthcare. It has: 

    Large-scale enterprise farms 

    An industrial park 

    A power plant 

    A modern teaching hospital 

This self-sustaining system shows how agriculture can support education, job creation, health, and economic growth. 

Babalola’s message is clear: If Nigeria is to overcome poverty and food insecurity, we must return to agriculture. Just like Obasanjo once led the way, Nigeria must now follow—back to the land, back to self-reliance, and back to prosperity. 

For NGOs, youth groups, and governments, the time to act is now. Support farmers. Encourage home gardening. Invest in agricultural training. The future of Nigeria depends on it.