What happened to diversification?

Shortly after the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came into power in 2015, a lot was said about plans to diversify the economy. So much was said about focusing on the agricultural sector when the country went into recession and some success was recorded, especially in the massive production of rice. But what happened to other […]

Shortly after the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came into power in 2015, a lot was said about plans to diversify the economy. So much was said about focusing on the agricultural sector when the country went into recession and some success was recorded, especially in the massive production of rice. But what happened to other sectors? Why have we not heard of efforts at boosting other agricultural products? Do we have to go into another recession to realize that oil is not sustainable in the long run?    The lessons of the recession ought to have made us to understand that anything can happen at any time. It is indeed sad that a country of about 198 million people has only one means of earning revenue.  As the next administration commences in May, I urge the government to go back to the issue of diversification of the economy. More resources should be channeled to that area so that we can have additional earnings. It will not be good for the country to be taken unawares again. The government should also support young farmers through loans so that they can engage in large scale farming.  The government can also buy up lands across the country which can be used for farming.  Everyone should be involved in the process of diversification so that we can make progress.

Abdul Mohammed wrote from Bida, Niger State.