Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has questioned why Nigeria continues to struggle with poverty despite its abundant natural and human resources.
Obasanjo spoke during an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, where he argued that the country possesses the resources needed to produce what its citizens require and develop a prosperous economy.
The former president attributed some of Nigeria’s economic challenges to policies that promote the importation of products that could be produced domestically.
According to him, reliance on foreign goods discourages local farmers, manufacturers and other producers while weakening the country’s ability to develop its own productive capacity.
Obasanjo said Nigeria’s large population, fertile land, water resources and favourable rainfall should provide the foundation for economic prosperity rather than persistent poverty.
“Give me one reason why Nigeria should be poor. Is it the land that we don’t have or the desert that we are in or the people that we don’t have or the water that we don’t have or the rain that we don’t have?” he asked.
He maintained that agriculture should be regarded as a major economic asset and strategically developed instead of allowing Nigeria to depend heavily on imported food and other products.
Obasanjo also recalled an experience from his time as chairman of the African Union when he travelled to Guinea-Bissau with former Ghanaian President John Kufuor, who was then chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.
He said the two leaders observed that Guinea-Bissau had considerable agricultural potential, including fertile land capable of supporting food production, yet the country still relied on imported products.
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According to Obasanjo, they saw bananas and other fruits growing naturally as they approached the country but were later served imported apples and grapes at their hotel.
“That’s part of the reason why we are poor,” Obasanjo added.
The former president’s comments centred on the need for African countries, particularly Nigeria, to maximise their domestic resources and reduce unnecessary dependence on imports.