Nigeria’s pathway to sustainable jobs, inclusive growth and long-term national resilience lies not in fear of automation, but in the deliberate reinvention of agriculture as a coordinated, system-driven engine of work.
This was the central position advanced by renowned banker, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the 33rd Convocation Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

Speaking on the theme: ‘Agriculture, the future of work, and the university as catalyst’, Aig-Imoukhuede challenged policymakers, universities, and graduates to look beyond traditional narratives of farming and recognise agriculture as Nigeria’s most scalable platform for dignified employment, innovation, and national transformation, if properly governed and coordinated.

He noted that while global discourse on the future of work is dominated by automation and artificial intelligence (AI), Africa’s more urgent challenge is creating productive, sustainable, and large-scale employment for its youthful population.

“Agriculture is a complex system encompassing science, engineering, logistics, finance, technology, regulation, and trade. No other sector matches its capacity to create jobs across skill levels, income bands, and rural–urban divides while strengthening food security and national resilience.”

Drawing lessons from the biblical account of Joseph in Egypt and Brazil’s agricultural transformation, he emphasised that agriculture becomes truly transformative only when treated as an integrated system rather than a series of isolated interventions.

Turning to Nigeria, he observed that, despite vast arable land, human capital, and a large domestic market, the country remained a net food importer due to weak coordination, not a lack of ideas or effort.

“Nigeria’s agricultural story is not one of failure,” he stated, “but one of unfinished architecture.”

He urged graduates to see agriculture as a modern, technology-enabled, and value-chain-driven career space, noting that the most significant employment opportunities lie beyond the farm gate, in storage, processing, logistics, quality assurance, branding, and export markets.

He also cautioned against over-reliance on technology without strong institutions and governance, stressing that enduring transformation required patient capital, credible systems, and consistent leadership.

Addressing the graduating class, the seasoned banker called for adaptability, lifelong learning, and civic responsibility, reminding them that Nigeria’s future depends on builders of systems, not spectators.