Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed concern over the inadequate investment in agriculture and technology, highlighting its negative impact on efforts to address insecurity and reduce poverty in Nigeria. Speaking during the 13th convocation lecture of Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Shettima emphasized the need for a shift from traditional farming methods.
Shettima lamented that a significant percentage of Nigerians still rely on cutlasses and hoes for their livelihoods, echoing the conditions of a century ago. He urged increased investment in modern technology, citing the potential for an agricultural revolution to transform the sector and ensure food security.
In his address, the vice president drew attention to the unchanged subsistence existence of many Nigerians and called for a concerted effort to leverage technology for economic development. He stated, “I have a picture of a town in central Borno that was taken in 1900, and when you juxtapose it with the one taken in 2020, there won’t be any remarkable difference.”
Shettima stressed that Nigeria possesses the necessary resources, including arable land, water resources, and a sizable population, to rank among the world’s ten richest countries. He asserted that overcoming insecurity requires a robust economic growth strategy that significantly reduces poverty levels, with agriculture playing a pivotal role.
The vice president expressed gratitude to the management of Al-Hikmah University for the honor of naming the newly-constructed Faculty of Nursing Complex after him, which he had the privilege of commissioning. This acknowledgment underscored the importance of education and infrastructure development in addressing the challenges facing the nation. Shettima’s call for increased investment in agriculture and technology aligns with the broader goal of fostering sustainable economic growth and ensuring a brighter future for Nigeria.
