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Boost Agriculture, Industry to Grow Economy, CPPE Tells Nigerian Government
Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise has urged the Nigerian government to focus on agriculture and industry as key drivers of economic recovery.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The group said boosting food production and manufacturing is the fastest way to reduce poverty, create jobs, and strengthen the nation’s currency.
CPPE Chief Executive Officer Muda Yusuf made the call in Lagos on Thursday during a press briefing on Nigeria’s economic outlook. He explained that the country’s heavy dependence on oil has left the economy weak and vulnerable to global price shocks.
Yusuf said agriculture remains the sector with the largest potential to improve lives. “If government can provide the right policies, security, and infrastructure, farmers will produce more, food prices will fall, and people will have jobs,” he said.
According to him, industries are also struggling with poor power supply, rising energy costs, multiple taxes, and import restrictions. These challenges, he added, are forcing many factories to shut down or relocate to neighboring countries.
Key Demands
The CPPE advised the Federal Government to:
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Provide affordable loans for farmers and manufacturers.
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Fix power supply to reduce production costs.
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Improve security in rural areas so farmers can return to their fields.
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Review import policies to make raw materials available for industries.
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Build roads and storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.
“These steps are not new,” Yusuf said. “But what is lacking is the political will to implement them consistently. Without agriculture and industry, we cannot grow in a sustainable way.”
Economic Pressures
Nigeria is currently facing double-digit inflation, a falling naira, and rising unemployment. Food inflation is above 30 percent, making basic items unaffordable for many families.
Experts warn that if urgent action is not taken, the crisis could deepen poverty and trigger more social unrest.
The CPPE noted that past governments announced programs to support farmers and industries, but most failed due to corruption, weak institutions, and lack of follow-up.
Yusuf argued that oil revenues are no longer reliable. “Global energy is changing. Many countries are moving away from oil. If Nigeria does not act fast, we will be left behind,” he said.
Private Sector Role
The group stressed that the private sector should play a central role in rebuilding the economy. It called for policies that encourage investment, reduce bureaucracy, and improve the business climate.
“Government must see the private sector as partners, not as opponents,” Yusuf said. “Investors want stability, clear rules, and respect for contracts. If they see these, they will bring capital, technology, and skills.”
Past Lessons
Nigeria has made attempts in the past to boost agriculture and industry. Programs such as Operation Feed the Nation, the Green Revolution, and the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme were designed to increase farm output.
But analysts say most of these efforts failed because of poor planning, lack of monitoring, and political interference.
The CPPE insists that learning from past mistakes is vital. “This time, government must work closely with farmers, manufacturers, and civil society to make sure policies deliver real results,” Yusuf said.
Broader Impact
If successful, the push for agriculture and industry could help stabilize food prices, reduce imports, and create millions of jobs. It could also ease pressure on foreign exchange, strengthen the naira, and give Nigeria a stronger voice in global trade.
Analysts believe that with over 200 million people, Nigeria has a large domestic market that can attract investors if the right steps are taken.
Next Steps
The CPPE plans to submit a detailed policy paper to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment in the coming weeks.
It also called on lawmakers to pass laws that protect farmers and industries from unfair practices and excessive taxation.
“The choices we make today will decide our future,” Yusuf concluded. “If we invest in agriculture and industry, we invest in people. That is the only path to a stable and prosperous Nigeria
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, says the state has mapped out 22,435 hectares of degraded land for restoration under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project using modern geospatial mapping technology.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience, tackle environmental degradation, and promote sustainable land use in the state.
Speaking at the ACReSAL mid-term review meeting in Kaduna through the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, the governor explained that the use of geospatial tools has made it possible to accurately identify affected areas for targeted intervention.
He added that the project is not only focused on land recovery but also on boosting agricultural output and improving livelihoods in affected communities.
Sani also noted that the state is supporting the programme with empowerment initiatives, including training over 500 women, youths, and school feeding vendors in biomass briquette production.
According to him, the effort is already helping to reduce dependence on firewood while creating alternative sources of income for beneficiaries.
President Tinubu has given full backing for the implementation of the ₦68.32 trillion 2026 budget after signing the Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly into law.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He also approved an amendment extending the lifespan of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026, to ensure completion of ongoing capital projects nationwide.
Under the 2026 fiscal plan, ₦4.799 trillion is set aside for statutory transfers, ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing, ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent spending, while ₦32.2 trillion goes to capital projects—about half of the total budget.
The focus, according to the administration, is on infrastructure development, security, and growth-driven investments aimed at improving living standards.
Speaking on the development, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said the extension of the 2025 budget will help ensure full use of allocated funds, especially for major ongoing projects.
Tinubu directed all ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure transparency, discipline, and value-for-money in implementing the budget, while praising the National Assembly for its swift passage of the bill.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms, revenue growth, job creation, and social welfare improvements.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described moves to prosecute former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over alleged culpable homicide as an attempt to reopen the 2018 Offa robbery tragedy for political purposes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesperson, Olusegun Adewara, said the development is a disturbing and dangerous politicisation of a case they claim has already been addressed through judicial processes.
He warned against dragging the state into fresh tension, accusing the state government of attempting to revive old allegations for political advantage.
Adewara said the PDP would not remain silent while what he called “political narratives” are used to influence public perception around a tragic incident that claimed multiple lives in Offa in 2018.
He also urged residents, especially affected families, not to allow their pain to be used for political gains, insisting it is unjust to associate Saraki with the crime.
The party further alleged that the move is aimed at distracting attention from governance challenges in the state.
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