Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria possesses enormous natural and economic resources and therefore has no justification for remaining a poor nation.
Speaking on Wednesday during his keynote address at the Agric, Development and Investment Summit in Abuja, Shettima emphasized the need for Nigeria to unlock its vast agricultural and marine resources to drive economic growth and create sustainable wealth.
The Vice President pointed to Indonesia as an example of how strategic investment in agriculture can outperform dependence on crude oil. According to him, Indonesia, despite being an oil-producing nation, generated about $25 billion from crude palm oil exports in 2025 by exporting approximately 53 million tonnes, earning more from palm oil than Nigeria made from crude oil during the same period.
He stressed that the comparison highlights the untapped opportunities available in Nigeria's agricultural sector.
Shettima also drew attention to the enormous economic potential of the Niger Delta, describing it as the third-largest delta in the world. He noted that the region is richly endowed with marine resources capable of supporting a thriving mariculture industry, including fish farming, salmon, tuna, lobsters, and other aquatic products.
According to him, developing these sectors could significantly boost the nation's economy, create jobs, and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
"In this great nation of ours, we have no business being poor," the Vice President said. "We have the potential to become one of the richest countries in the world. There are parts of this country where wealth can literally be cultivated—where you can plant resources and reap tremendous economic returns."
Shettima urged stakeholders, investors, and policymakers to prioritize investments in agriculture, agribusiness, and the blue economy, insisting that Nigeria's path to lasting prosperity lies in fully harnessing its abundant natural resources rather than relying solely on crude oil exports.
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