The Co-founder of Commodity.ng, Ibrahim Muhammed, popularly known as IBM Bangis, has described agriculture as one of the most important pillars for Nigeria’s long-term stability, economic growth and national development.
Speaking during the Youth in Agriculture Summit held in Abuja, Ibrahim emphasized that no nation can achieve sustainable prosperity without investing heavily in food production, agricultural education, innovation and youth empowerment.
According to him, agriculture should no longer be viewed merely as farming, but as a strategic national asset capable of driving employment, industrial growth, peace and economic independence.
“Agriculture is life. It is civilization. It is security. Nations that invest in agriculture invest in stability, employment, peace and sovereignty,” he stated.
Ibrahim explained that Nigeria possesses enormous agricultural advantages, including vast arable land, favourable climate conditions, diverse ecological zones and a large youthful population. However, he noted that these advantages can only translate into real economic prosperity through deliberate investment, stronger institutional collaboration and technology-driven agricultural systems.
He stressed that agricultural colleges, universities and research institutions must become active innovation hubs capable of producing modern solutions for food insecurity, climate challenges and low productivity.
According to him, with proper support and collaboration, these institutions can help develop climate-smart farming systems, improve seed technology, strengthen mechanization, expand agro-processing, reduce post-harvest losses and create millions of jobs for Nigerian youths.
He further noted that Nigeria must move beyond subsistence farming and embrace a more commercial and export-oriented agricultural system capable of competing globally.
“We must stop seeing agriculture only as cultivation. The future lies in processing, storage, logistics, branding, technology, export and value addition. That is where wealth creation truly happens,” Ibrahim added.
The Co-founder also called for stronger partnerships between government agencies, private investors, research institutions, development organizations and young agripreneurs to build a more resilient agricultural ecosystem.
He noted that innovation and digital technology will play a critical role in transforming the sector, especially in areas such as precision agriculture, market intelligence, farm financing, climate monitoring and supply chain management.
Speaking on the summit’s theme, “Unfolding the Potentials of Agricultural Colleges and Institutions Through Collaboration and Innovation to Enhance Food Security and Job Creation,” Ibrahim said food security remains directly linked to national peace and social stability.
According to him, countries that fail to secure their food systems often struggle with unemployment, inflation, insecurity and economic instability.
He therefore urged Nigerian youths to embrace agribusiness opportunities across the agricultural value chain, stating that agriculture remains one of the fastest pathways to economic empowerment and sustainable wealth creation in Africa.
The summit attracted lawmakers, policymakers, researchers, investors, development partners and stakeholders across the agricultural sector, all focused on exploring practical reforms and partnerships capable of revitalizing agricultural education and boosting food production nationwide.
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