President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a global leader in agricultural exports by 2025. Speaking at the Road to South-South National Convergence for Renewed Hope Agenda at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, the President unveiled “Project Earn from the Soil,” an ambitious initiative aimed at revolutionising Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“This project is a powerful declaration that we are committed to turning our non-oil resources into collective prosperity,” Tinubu said.
He emphasized that the South-South region, known for its vast natural resources, would play a pivotal role in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation beyond oil and gas.
The newly launched initiative focuses on transitioning Nigeria from subsistence farming to a robust, export-driven agricultural economy. According to Tinubu, the project is designed to address food security while creating economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
“Our vision is clear: By 2025, we will position Nigeria as a leading agricultural export nation,” Tinubu declared, adding that his administration would provide the necessary support to ensure the project’s success.
The President highlighted the unique potential of the South-South region, describing it as a hub of untapped resources and extraordinary human talent.
Beyond its oil and gas reserves, the region is rich in fertile land and agricultural potential.
“The South-South is open for business, and so is the rest of Nigeria,” Tinubu stated, calling on both local and international investors to explore the region’s vast opportunities.
He stressed the need for strategic partnerships that foster innovation and sustainable growth rather than reliance on traditional foreign aid.
A central theme of the President’s address was the empowerment of Nigeria’s youth and women.
He urged them to seize the opportunities presented by “Project Earn from the Soil” to achieve self-reliance and economic prosperity.
“Young people from the South-South are the backbone of the transformation that is about to begin here. Your energy, creativity, and determination will drive Nigeria’s economic revolution,” Tinubu said.
The President’s remarks underscored his administration’s broader “Renewed Hope Agenda,” a blueprint for national development that prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable growth.
“My promise to Nigerians was to restore and renew their hope and confidence in their ability to excel. That promise is being fulfilled today,” he stated.
In her address Hon. Gift Johnbull, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), highlighted the region as a key hub of untapped economic potential.
She called for strategic partnerships to harness its vast resources and accelerate national development.
Johnbull underscored the South-South’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, particularly its contributions in the oil and gas sector, while emphasizing the region’s unexploited opportunities in agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“The South-South is at the heart of our nation’s development,” she said. “Its immense economic contributions and untapped potential position it as a critical driver of Nigeria’s transformation.”
John Bull urged investors, policymakers, and stakeholders to view the South-South as a gateway to new opportunities. She highlighted initiatives like the “Pitching Den,” launched during the event, as platforms to attract visionary entrepreneurs and bold investors.
“This is your moment to recognise the South-South as a hub of untapped potential,” she said.
“Partner with us to unlock opportunities that will benefit not just this region or the nation, but the entire continent and beyond.”
The event also featured the unveiling of the Impact Report, which detailed milestones achieved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The report showcased initiatives that have empowered communities and driven sustainable progress in the South-South region.
Hon. Johnbull called on youth and women to take active roles in transforming their communities, describing them as “key change-makers” in the region’s development journey.
“To the youth and women, your voice, innovation, and determination are crucial to shaping the future of the South-South and Nigeria at large,” she said.
Johnbull emphasized the collective responsibility of stakeholders to amplify the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensure that every Nigerian feels its impact.
“As we amplify the Renewed Hope Agenda, let us work together to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
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