Shettima: Nigeria Must Leverage Agricultural Potential

During a keynote address at the Agricultural Development Investment Summit in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima declared that Nigeria has no reason to remain poor, emphasizing the nation's abundant natural resources and economic potential. He pointed to Indonesia's oil palm sector as a successful example, noting that despite being an oil-producing nation, Indonesia generated $25 billion from crude palm oil exports in 2025, which could surpass Nigeria's crude oil revenue.

Shettima highlighted the Niger Delta as the world's third-largest delta, rich in mariculture opportunities, including fish farming of species like salmon, tuna, and lobster. He asserted that Nigeria's agricultural and marine resources could significantly transform the nation's economy, stating, "We have no business being poor; we have the potential to be one of the richest countries in the world.".