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By Sunday Ani
Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023, has advocated for a change in Nigeria’s economic focus from reliance on oil to agriculture-driven development, claiming that farming, education, and robust local communities are the key to the country’s future prosperity.
He made the call in Numan, Adamawa State, while receiving a traditional title from the Bachama Kingdom, led by the Hama Bachama, Homun Daniel Shaga.
He also noted that Nigeria’s political and economic challenges can only be addressed by changing the quality and motivation of leadership and refocusing national priorities on productive sectors rooted in communities.
“The way to change politics is to change politicians. We must go back to our communities and bring forward patriots who love their people, fear God and are not driven by power, money or glory,” he said.
He said Nigeria needs nationalists and not ethnic or religious loyalists, insisting that every Nigerian, whether born a prince or a farmer, possesses innate greatness that can be unlocked through service to his or her community.
He equally emphasised the central role of education and agriculture in national development, rejecting the idea of private schools and describing all centres of learning as public goods.
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“There is nothing called a private school. Anywhere knowledge is taught is a public place,” he said, while praising the contributions of missionaries and traditional institutions to Nigeria’s educational history.
He revealed that he had contributed to the completion of a school project in the area and had earlier supported efforts to establish a university in Demsa, particularly advocating for a strong faculty of agriculture.
Drawing from his international experience, he noted that countries such as Argentina and Brazil generate massive revenue from cattle and soybean farming, which far exceeds Nigeria’s oil earnings, despite the country having more fertile land.
“When we are in government, we shall build universities,” he said. “But for now, we must help communities build their own.”
He urged Nigerians to raise a new generation free from bias and resentment and committed to rebuilding the country through honest work, unity and service.
“This generation will not be a wasted generation. It will be a generation of recovery,” he said.
