Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, addressed the escalating issues of banditry and kidnapping in the country, attributing them to the prevailing unemployment crisis.

Speaking at the 9th International Trade Exhibition and Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging in Lagos, organized by FairTrade Messe and the Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa, Obasanjo emphasized the urgent need for employment opportunities to deter individuals from engaging in criminal activities.

Known for his staunch advocacy for agriculture, Obasanjo stressed the importance of promoting agribusiness to address various socio-economic challenges including food security, nutrition, employment, wealth creation, poverty eradication, and foreign exchange generation.

He highlighted the essential elements of food security: availability, affordability, and accessibility, noting that a significant portion of cultivated food is wasted, underscoring the critical role of agribusiness in ensuring food and nutrition security.

Obasanjo lamented the inclination of Nigerian youths towards the entertainment industry over agriculture, emphasizing the necessity of making agriculture more appealing to attract youth involvement. He urged policymakers to prioritize policy consistency to provide farmers with stability and access to single-digit loans, essential for profitable agribusiness ventures.

In addressing the issue of youth emigration and unemployment, Obasanjo advocated for creating ample employment opportunities domestically, particularly in agriculture, as a viable solution to deter risky migrations and address insecurity.

He acknowledged the challenge of convincing youths to venture into agriculture over more glamorous sectors like entertainment, emphasizing the need to reshape the perception of agriculture as a lucrative and rewarding career path for the youth.