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How Sharubutu’s ARCN is Complementing Tinubu’s Fight Against Hunger

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Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria ARCN

By Edwin Uhara

There is no doubt that there is food insecurity in the land. Many Nigerians are already feeling the heat of food inflation across the federation.

No matter the location, the price of foodstuffs is generally high. However, government efforts are being under-reported to balance the inequality between demand and the supply chain.

Accordingly, there are many reasons given for the current food inflation, but from the economic perspective, the demand for food by Nigerians is more than the supply in the market. So, when such reality is the case, there is food insecurity.

Conversely, for there to be food security, it must be available, accessible and affordable even to the ordinary person on the street because food is a human right.

However, it is also not right when the efforts of relevant agencies like the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), a body saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and monitoring agricultural research to increase agricultural outputs in Nigeria are underreported.

As a leading research institution, the ARCN has developed many varieties of crops to ensure self-sufficiency in production as it has also released beans and maize varieties that are resistant to insect pests.

Not only that, the council has also developed models to help in food storage as one of the research institutes under its supervision – the National Stored Products Research Institute in Ilorin has developed models for the storage of yam, cassava, and grains.

Nevertheless, as a way of boasting its workforce, the council recently recruited about 1650 scientists to boost food security across the nation.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Council, Professor Garba Sharubutu, he said: “The Federal Government approved the recruitment of 1650 scientists to boost the staff strength in research, particularly the instruction is for us to recruit breeders, those going to bring about the genetic improvement of our local crops”.

“This administration is taking the subject matter of food security seriously and since it came on board, it decided we must refocus our attention to make sure at least food is placed on the table and if we need food to be placed on the table, our advice to the government is to concentrate on quick maturing crops.”

“These quick maturing crops mean rice, yam, cassava, wheat, guinea corn, millet. These are what we call the quick maturing crops,” he added.

“But our advice also entails the fact that other products or other commodities should not be neglected.

“We cannot neglect the cash crops because of the need to diversify and if you look at the mandate of Mr President and his priority list, he mentioned food security as No. 1”.

Unlike before when there were replications of research works by some bodies under its watch, the 16 institutions under the ARCN in the country now have specific mandates for crops they specialise in.

These crops range from grains, tree crops, livestock, fisheries, storages, mechanisation and extension services.

According to the ARCN boss, Professor Sharubutu, he said, “We had numerous agricultural research institutes spread across the length and breadth of the country that were carrying out their activities in isolation. Each agricultural research institute was implementing mandate without recourse to what the other is doing”

“So in the wisdom of the government, there was a need to give specific mandates to each research institute, and therefore the 16 agricultural research institutes in the country now have specific mandates of their crop.”

He further disclosed that the council has been able to release crop varieties that are meant to be flood resistant, quick maturing, quick yielding, boost nutrition and pest resistant.

In total, the council has released 23 crop varieties within the shortest time frame while the National Cereals Research Institute has produced over 65 varieties of rice; quick maturing, drought, flood and disease-resistant crops.

The council also found a solution to the tomato Ebola when it broke out in Nigeria.

The result of this research is not in the book selves anymore but is found with the real farmers on the field.

He added that, “In the whole of Africa, we are the second country to introduce insect-resistant cowpeas.” We have also introduced new varieties of maize that are resistant to armyworms.

In lieu of the foregoing, large-scale farmers are advised to get these new varieties of crops for usage as this year’s planting season is still on.

There is no point continuing with the old species of crops that take almost one full year to yield while the country is in dire need to balance the gap between food demand and the supply chain.

On the whole, Professor Sharubutu has delivered on President Tinubu’s mandate of boosting agriculture to achieve food security within the shortest time frame.

The onus is now on Nigerians especially the farmers to take advantage of the innovation and use them to increase their yields in this year’s planting season.

Achieving food stability is not rocket science because that is one of the key indicators of human development according to global institutions.

In conclusion, I can say that with the current efforts of both the government and the people, there is going to be the availability and affordability of foodstuffs across the federation during the next round of harvesting season.

Comrade Edwin Uhara, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

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Humans + Machines: Building the Workforce of the Future

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Ursula Fear Senior Talent Program Manager Salesforce

By Ursula Fear

Is AI coming for your job, or is it already working beside you? As its use becomes more routine, artificial intelligence is looking less like a threat and more like a teammate: answering queries, making decisions, chasing leads, processing invoices, and drafting content around the clock.

This new class of digital labour is changing how teams function, how targets are met, and how people spend their time at work. From now on, almost every job, team, and company will involve AI agents – systems that can analyse vast datasets, apply human-like reasoning, and act independently. Their presence is set to influence workflows, increase productivity, support innovation, and redefine roles across the organisation.

Rather than replacing people, AI is tilting the workload. Salesforce research shows that 23% of HR teams plan to redeploy employees into roles that make better use of their uniquely human strengths. At the same time, agentic AI adoption is projected to surge by 327% over the next two years (from roughly 15% adoption today to about 64% by 2027).

This shift is tied to anticipated productivity gains of 30% per employee and labour cost reductions of 19%, equating to about $11,000 in savings per employee annually, based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) wage averages. Rather than replacing people, organisations are preparing to reskill and redeploy workers, enabling humans to focus on higher-value roles that emphasise creativity, strategy, and interpersonal skills.

A recent Gartner poll further found that 95% of customer service teams intend to retain human agents to help define and guide the role of AI, reinforcing the value of a “digital first, not digital only” approach. Gartner further says that by 2027, half of the organisations that planned to significantly reduce their customer service workforce will abandon those plans, highlighting the limits of going fully “agentless”.

For African countries, the rise of digital labour presents an opportunity to build modern, inclusive workforces without being bound by outdated development models. But realising this potential depends on sustained investment in skills training, digital infrastructure, and equitable access to AI tools.

Train for tomorrow

Africa has the world’s youngest population. It’s bursting with entrepreneurial energy. But many young people still don’t have access to the tools and skills that will define the next era of work. If the continent wants to lead in the digital labour revolution, it should act now by investing in digital infrastructure, prioritising skills development, and forging partnerships that make future-focused training widely accessible.

Yes, the skills gap is real and broadband internet is still a luxury in many communities. But on the upside, AI training doesn’t require a university degree. Much of it is free, online, and accessible to anyone with a smartphone and a curious mind.

That opens the door to governments, educators, businesses, and civil society to step up to update school curricula, expand digital infrastructure, and support public-private training partnerships. All of this matters: not just for economic growth, but for social inclusion, too.

If these foundations are put in place, African countries could not only meet the needs of their growing population but also leapfrog outdated development models.

From entry-level to in-demand

When AI begins to handle the simpler tasks, it’s easy to worry about what’s left for those starting out. Entry-level jobs aren’t disappearing though. Instead of doing routine work, newcomers will now need to build skills in oversight, collaboration, and using AI tools effectively from day one. The ladder still exists; it just starts in a different place.

This will require a different kind of training – not just technical know-how, but in soft skills like empathy, adaptability, ethical judgement, and communication, which are all human traits that help teams thrive.

AI’s presence in the workplace may be concerning, with reports of job cuts due to its adoption (here), but all is not as it seems.

Research suggests a more balanced perspective: One of the most comprehensive studies, from the National Bureau of Economic Research, tracked 25,000 workers across 7,000 Danish firms using AI chatbots. It found no significant changes to jobs, wages, or working hours. Productivity rose by around 3%, without leading to layoffs.

The St. Louis Fed found something similar. Based on large-scale surveys in the US, researchers reported one in four workers now use generative AI weekly, saving on average just over two hours a week. Spread across the entire labour market, that translated into a 1.1% productivity gain. Crucially, there was no sign this efficiency came at the cost of jobs.

Adding to this, a 2024 study by Mäkelä and Stephany analysed over 12 million US job listings and revealed that demand is surging for “AI-complementary” skills such as resilience, teamwork, digital literacy, and analytical thinking. These are the very human capabilities that help people work effectively with AI. The study found AI-focused roles are nearly twice as likely to list these skills, and they command wage premiums of 5–10%. Even more telling: the positive impact of these complementary skills outweighs the substitution effects of AI by up to 70%.

These findings all suggest that AI isn’t replacing workers; it’s helping them work smarter and more efficiently. To thrive in this blended future, we need to prepare today, by building the right skills, expanding access, and embracing AI not as a threat, but as a partner in progress.

Because the future of work won’t be entirely human, nor entirely automated – it will be a blend of both.

Ursula Fear is the Senior Talent Programme Manager at Salesforce

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South West Appointment and Projects Favouritism: Fact or Fiction?

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Bola Tinubu 2027 presidential election

By Abba Dukawa

“It is utterly insensitive for Northern Nigeria’s elite to accuse President Tinubu’s administration of favoring the South-West geopolitical zone. Alleging favoritism towards the South-West, demonstrate a striking lack of sensitivity.

Where were these critics when former President Buhari’s administration faced controversy over alleged favoritism towards the North in appointments?  Why they not accused PMB of violating the Federal Character Principle, which ensures balanced representation across regions.

Let’s set the record straight: According to BusinessDay, 81 out of 100 appointees since 2015 were Northerners, including key positions like Chief of Army Staff (Borno, North-East), Chief of Air Staff (North-East), National Security Adviser (North-East), Accountant General (Kano, North-West), and Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (North-East).

SGF (North East) Aviation (North West) AGF (North West)  GMD NNPC(North East ) Minister of finance( North West). According to another reports, appointments by geopolitical zone are as follows: North West (51), North Central (47), North East (45), South East (41), South West (45), and South South (45). These figures are currently inconsequential.

Regarding the Northern elite’s claims about imbalance in President Tinubu’s appointments, the issue appears overstated. Instead, the more pressing question is whether they’re diverting attention from the North’s own developmental shortcomings. The region’s progress warrants scrutiny.”

The previous administration, despite having two consecutive terms, left key infrastructure projects unfinished in the north. Notable examples include the Kano-Kaduna-Abuja highway, a crucial North-South link,.

Kano-Maiduguri road project, vital for North West-North East connectivity. Moreover, Aminu Kano International Airport, a major Northern hub, significantly declined under the Northern Minister of Aviation’s supervision, rendering it nearly defunct.

The claim that President Tinubu’s administration favors the South-West in appointments appears baseless, particularly given the North’s experience under previous administrations.

Notably, Tinubu’s administration has appointed 71 individuals from the North and 63 from the South. A breakdown of Southern appointees reveals: South-West (26), South-South (21), and South-East (16). I’m still unclear about the issue – it seems like fiction.

For those overnight champions of Northern interests, have forgotten the unfinished infrastructure projects started by the previous regime, such as the Abuja-Kaduna-kano (AKK) gas project, Mambilla Power Project.

What about the  Baro Port project was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 19, 2019: Despite its commissioning, the project has remained idle due to a lack of supporting infrastructure, such as access roads and rail connectivity.

The Kano, Daura, and Maradi rail projects, though unfinished under previous administrations, are being continued by the current government. Numerous others projects across the North, left incomplete despite 8 years in power?

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approved several major projects in Northern Nigeria. Some notable ones include Kolmani Integrated Development Project, continuation of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Kaduna-Kano Rail Line, Kano-Maiduguri Dual Carriageway.

Agriculture Value Chain Initiative to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth. ACReSAL Program a World Bank-funded project aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land in the North.Healthcare Projects

Federal Medical Centers*: upgrades and expansions are underway at major facilities, including Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.

A multimillion dollars oil exploration project located between Bauchi and Gombe states, expected to boost oil production and contribute to national economic growth. The project involves drilling activities, construction of a gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kano, and establishment of a Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy.

All these projects demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to improving infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and economic development in Northern Nigeria.

Despite numerous appointments and projects in Northern Nigeria, some self-proclaimed regional advocates remain driven by self-interest, claiming underrepresentation. Meanwhile, the appointments have sparked debate, with proponents citing merit and critics alleging their fuel ethnic and regional tensions.”

Dukawa write it from Abuja can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com

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Local Supply Chain Support – From Seed to Sip

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Abiola Laseinde BSG

By Abiola Laseinde

From the soil of Northern Nigeria from where grains are sourced, to the bubbling breweries in the South that bottle joy, and finally to your glass, beer is more than just a beverage. It is a cultural artefact, a celebration of local entrepreneurship, and it is a sustainable force of development. As the world observes International Beer Day, what better time to spotlight the engine room of this golden industry: Nigeria’s local beer supply chain

The Nigerian beer industry is one of the most dynamic in Africa, and caters to over 200 million consumers. Yet, beyond the stream of iconic labels and festival commercials, lives a vibrant ecosystem that adds value. Farmers, transportation engineers, marketers, bar owners, recyclers, and innovators, are reliant on beer production and delivery for gainful employment.

Sourcing fresh grains from Nigerian farmers makes beer companies contributors to rural economic development, supporters of agronomic innovation and diversification, and a means of reducing import dependency. Local sourcing alleviates food security and supports the building blocks of industrial self-reliance. Opening a bottle of beer in essence, is a silent salute to the thousands of farmers working across the rich, fertile lands of Nigeria

Beer binds cultures together, whether being toasted at a naming ceremony in Abeokuta or downed at the end of a long day in Jos, beer has become a nexus of community across tribes, religions, and class. Beer unifies people, encourages conversations, and often plays a backseat role in defining moments in one’s life.

Beyond that, beer tells an indigenous Nigerian story. From the packaging that pays tribute to our heritage, to advertisements that mirror our humor, odds, and wins, beer serves as a lens into our identity. In many ways, when people engage with beer, they are not merely consuming it; they are experiencing it.

This layered value chain is also a training ground. Often, breweries will up skill employees with technical skills training, workplace safety protocols, and environmental sustainability, which means they are producing a skilled national workforce. It is an ecosystem where blue-collar and white-collar roles intersect, providing a balanced socio-economic impact.

Beer production today is being managed with the environment in mind. Increasingly Nigerian beer companies are looking to use renewable energy; treat wastewater; and implement circular packaging. Grains can be repurposed to animal feed, glass bottles recycled, and even introducing new technologies such as lighter-weight cans to mitigate carbon emissions. These actions are more than just corporate responsibility; they are commitments to Nigeria’s future.

As we raise our glasses high this International Beer Day, we must recognize the leg of the journey from seed to sip. Beer is more than a drink; it is an industry that provides families with food and shelter, builds communities, shapes culture, and now, takes into account its footprint on the planet. The local supply chain is not only strong but also strategic!

In celebrating and supporting this industry, we do not just celebrate a product, we celebrate potential, resilience, and the Nigerian spirit of enterprise.

Mrs Abiola Laseinde is the Executive Director of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG)

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