Agriculture can drive Nigeria’s economy if well developed, Gov. Otti
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says that the agriculture sector, if well developed, could drive Nigeria’s economy. To achieve this, Governor Otti said there was need for the country to process and add value to her rich raw materials scattered across the country.
Expressing optimism that Nigeria could build a thriving economy driven by agriculture, Governor Otti said “we need to begin to add value to every product, be it agricultural or mineral.” He recalled that late Premier of Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, developed the region’s economy without relying on oil, but used agriculture.
The Governor who spoke while receiving a delegation of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike – Muonso, noted that Abia, just like some other states in the country, was rich in cassava, cashew, cocoa , rubber and other cash crops.
But he lamented that not much has been done with the agricultural and mineral resources, hence, the need to process and utilize them, which, he said “requires intentional and deliberate actions.”
The Governor underscored the critical role of the Council in national development, particularly in advancing manufacturing, small and medium-scale industries, and other key sectors.
He promised that his administration would partner with RMRDC towards developing the state’s abundant agricultural and mineral resources.
“Our government is more than willing to partner with you and support you to succeed in your mandate,” the Governor said and promised to allocate land to the Council for it to build an office in Abia.
Earlier, the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, had commended Governor Otti for his visionary and transformative leadership, adding that the Governor’s remarkable strides stand as irrefutable evidence of a leader imbued with competence, integrity and unyielding passion for the development of the State.
Prof. Ike-Muonso said that the Governor was the first state Chief Executive in the country to grant his team access and audience for such strategic engagement.
He said that the visit was in furtherance of the Council’s statutory mandate to drive industrialization through sustainable development and utilization of Nigeria’s vast raw material resources, adding that Abia, with its rich agricultural and industrial base, stands as a strategic partner towards unlocking Nigeria’s natural endowments for economic diversification, value addition and job creation.
He used the forum to invite the Governor to participate in the maiden edition of the Africa Raw Materials Summit slated to hold in Abuja, from May 20 to 22, 2025, aimed at deepening Africa’s raw material markets, sharing knowledge on processing technologies and strengthening value chains. So far, he said. 72 countries have confirmed their participation.
Commissioners and other senior Government officials were present during the visit.
