Adebayo Adeleke advocates youth-led food security

In an impassioned address, Adebayo Adeleke, the driving force behind Supply Chain Africa and Adebayo Adeleke LLC, has called upon Nigeria’s youth to engage deeply in the nation’s food security efforts. Adeleke, who spearheads the Nigerian Food Security Initiative, is acutely aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. He believes that educating young Nigerians about the critical importance of food security is paramount.

“Many young people lack a comprehensive understanding of what food security entails,” Adeleke remarked. “It’s crucial for us to lead this charge. There’s no justification for any nation to be food insecure, especially when there is such an abundance of resources juxtaposed with stark scarcity.”

READ MORE: Food Security: FAO offers support to mitigate flooding

The fluctuating prices of food, which have dramatically increased over the past six months, underscore the urgency of this issue. “This programme aims to highlight these discrepancies and foster solutions,” he said. “The University of Abuja is merely the starting point of our campaign, which will extend to various universities across the nation, focusing on youth engagement in agriculture.”

Adeleke emphasised that Nigeria’s food security issues extend beyond agriculture. “Our role is to illuminate these problems, allowing solution-bearers to come forward,” he stated. “My task is to outline the challenges, while others provide the solutions.”

Adeleke pointed out that the average age of farmers in some states is around 52, a figure compounded by rural-urban migration. “With many young people gravitating towards cities like Abuja and Lagos, and the naira’s devaluation exacerbating these issues, our agricultural human capital is dwindling,” he noted. “Young people aren’t drawn to farming; they prefer city life, leaving farmlands neglected. This trend is accelerated by banditry and terrorism, and if left unchecked, will become dire within the next 10 to 20 years.”

He lamented the reluctance of young Nigerians to relocate to fertile rural areas. “Few 25-year-olds are willing to move to places like Igbo Ora, which are rich in agricultural potential. They prefer the allure of big cities, and this is our primary challenge. We believe that by engaging students directly, we can change this narrative.”

READ MORE: Food Security: Southwest farmers, Miyetti Allah sign MOU on peaceful coexistence

Addressing the misconception that farming is the only avenue to contribute to food security, Adeleke stressed the need for a multi-faceted approach. “Farming isn’t the sole solution; we need all hands on deck. Many young people are interested in tech and other fields. We must educate them on how they can contribute to food security in various capacities.”

He likened the approach to treating an illness. “Food security is a national security issue. We must identify and address the root causes rather than just treating the symptoms. So far, we’ve only been addressing the symptoms. Once we tackle the underlying problems, the rest will fall into place.”

READ MORE: Obasanjo to Govs: Focus more on food security

Adeleke’s initiative is gaining momentum, with stakeholders from Abuja, Lagos, and financial institutions joining the cause. “This is just the beginning. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort. The government cannot do it alone; it requires collective action.”

In concluding, Adeleke underscored the pivotal role of youth in this battle. “Without the involvement of young Nigerians, we will continue to struggle in vain. They are the fighters who can lead us to victory in ensuring our nation’s food security.”