The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed deep disappointment and dismay over the abysmal performance of the Minister of Agriculture, whose tenure has been marred by incompetence and a gross failure to secure food security in the country.
NANS Deputy Senate President, Huzaifa Sabo Usman, in a press statement lamented that under the leadership of the current Minister, Nigeria’s agricultural landscape has plunged into dire straits.
According to Usman, reports of widespread hunger and malnutrition have surfaced, painting a grim picture of a nation struggling to feed its populace.
“The soaring prices of essential food items have only exacerbated poverty levels, plunging millions deeper into hardship. The Minister’s tenure has been marked by incompetence.
“We cannot overlook the precipitous decline in agricultural production and the alarming rise in food insecurity under his watch.”
The students’ association also highlighted several critical failures under the Minister’s tenure, including the neglect of small-scale farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. They pointed out inadequate storage facilities and transportation infrastructure, leading to significant post-harvest losses.
“We demand immediate action. “President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must act swiftly to remove the Minister and investigate allegations of corruption within the ministry. Our agricultural sector needs competent leadership and a comprehensive plan to restore food security.”
The students further called for increased funding and robust policies to support farmers, enhance agricultural productivity, and develop essential infrastructure like storage facilities and irrigation systems. They stressed the urgency of addressing the herder-farmer conflict through effective dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms.
“We will not relent until our demands for accountability and good governance in the agricultural sector are met,” Sen. Huzaifa concluded passionately.
