The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s dedication to bolstering national food security, in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s directive. Under Lagbaja’s leadership, the Army is turning its focus to agricultural initiatives as a means to support food security and ensure long-term national stability. This initiative was highlighted at the recent Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL) training workshop held in Abuja.
Speaking at the workshop, themed “Attaining Peace through Food Security: Nigeria Army Farms and Ranches Limited Perspective,” Lagbaja emphasized the Army’s commitment to agriculture. The workshop is part of the Army’s strategy to enhance its agricultural footprint. Represented by Maj.-Gen. Zakari Abubakar, Chief of Transformations and Innovation, Lagbaja pointed out that the Nigerian Army is set to become a key player in agricultural development, which aligns with President Tinubu’s policy on food security.
In a significant move, Lagbaja has already approved multiple partnership proposals with ministries, agencies, and reputable agricultural establishments. These collaborations aim to increase agricultural productivity and contribute substantially to the national food reserve. As part of these efforts, the Army is in the process of reviewing its agricultural policies to increase crop production.
NAFARL’s efforts in research, particularly in livestock breeding and agricultural innovations, received praise from the COAS. Lagbaja affirmed that the Army’s focus on sustainable agriculture goes beyond military duties, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the nation’s food security through viable farming and ranching initiatives. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to turn unused military land into productive agricultural assets, fulfilling the presidential directive to utilize all available land for agricultural purposes.
Additionally, Maj.-Gen. Henry Wesley, Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), underlined that the workshop serves as a direct follow-up to President Tinubu’s call for increased agricultural use of land resources. This aligns with the Nigerian Army’s broader strategy to not only train its personnel in advanced agricultural techniques but also to contribute actively to the nation’s agricultural sector, which is seen as a cornerstone for achieving lasting peace.
Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, Director-General of NAFARL, shared that the Army’s ongoing agricultural projects are part of a long-term strategy to support food security. This effort includes refining livestock to ensure adaptability to Nigeria’s environmental conditions. Nnebeife expressed confidence that the Army’s contributions would play a vital role in securing the nation’s food reserves, thus fostering stability.
The Nigerian Army’s agricultural vision has attracted partnerships from various stakeholders. Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), highlighted that the military’s commitment to agricultural expansion is an important step in enhancing national food security. Adebayo assured that the federal government is fully supportive of these efforts, recognizing the critical link between food security and national security.
This comprehensive approach, spearheaded by Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja, illustrates the Nigerian Army’s evolving role in national development, moving beyond traditional defense to embrace food security as a means of fostering peace and stability. By implementing President Tinubu’s directive, the Army is not only enhancing its own capabilities but also positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural future, ensuring that food security remains a top priority for the nation.
