The Nigerian government has been challenged to be serious with its plan explore other areas of earning revenue for the country rather than oil alone.
The government was advised to fast track the diversification of the economy with agriculture and solid minerals as the main focus.
National Director of the Civic and Political Affairs of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Mr Joseph Unuayan, at a special Voice of Nigeria interview titled ‘In the News’ in Abuja, said that leaders had been talking about diversification but haven’t translated it to realities on ground.
Mr Unuayan pointed out that solid minerals have the capacity to create many jobs and improve the value chain in the mining and exploration opportunities in Nigeria.
He said there are a lot of minerals that are yet to be explored “do you know the number of companies that would spring up if Nigeria decides to focus on solid mineral extraction and development? It will be so enormous and you will be so surprised that all the graduates that are running the streets will be employed.”
On agriculture development, he said the issue of mechanisation should be the only way to balance the trade with other nations in the world.
“Let the issue of mechanisation be a major focus so that the graduates can have something to do so that Nigeria can have something to produce and export rather than importing always.”
Mr Unuayan said Nigeria must walk the talk by changing its approach to diversification.
He also urged the government to take cash crops seriously and focus on initiatives like the Cassava revolution initiative by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
