Over several decades, the economic landscape of Nigeria has been shaped by an incessant pursuit of oil, positioning our country among the top oil producers worldwide. Although this oil-focused paradigm has indeed brought significant revenues into our national treasury, dependence on this finite resource has led to wide-ranging and detrimental environmental consequences that could far outlast the fleeting benefits.
We currently find ourselves at a crucial crossroads. As countries worldwide actively seek greener and more sustainable avenues, we must confront an unsettling question: “Why does our focus remain on oil?” This challenging inquiry forces us to re-evaluate long-standing perceptions of economic prosperity.
Nigeria’s leadership obsession with oil exploration, notably in Gombe and Borno states or elsewhere within the country, risks causing comprehensive devastation of the natural environment. Oil spills have contaminated rivers and agricultural lands, posing threats not only to wildlife and biodiversity but also to the livelihoods and health of our citizens.
Furthermore, climate change, intensified by carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels, presents a dire risk to future generations. We are merely custodians of the future; it is not ours to destroy.
Regardless of this destruction, one might ponder, “Has oil not enriched us?” Indeed, oil has created vast wealth for some individuals in Nigeria, but it has not necessarily rendered Nigeria prosperous. The paradox of plenty, or the ‘resource curse,’ portrays a bleak image of countries replete with natural resources yet grappling with economic stagnation, political instability, and societal conflicts. Nigeria appears to exemplify this.
It is difficult to overlook the stark disparity between the nation’s oil wealth and the realities in oil-rich regions such as the Niger Delta. In these regions, individuals struggle with poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation, clear indicators that the presumed benefits of the oil economy are not reaching those who need them most.
Having conducted doctoral research on environment and security in the Niger Delta, I have personally witnessed the catastrophic effects of oil pollution on the environment—an occurrence I wish to see nowhere else on the planet.
Given these circumstances, President Bola Tinubu should consider a deliberate pivot towards sectors promising sustainable growth and development, with agriculture being a key contender. Nigeria has a rich agricultural history, graced with fertile lands and favourable climates. Investment in agriculture could provide a twofold benefit; economic growth and food security. The agricultural potential can be understood by looking at countries like the Netherlands, a worldwide leader in agricultural exports despite its compact size, or New Zealand, which has constructed a resilient economy around dairy farming and livestock rearing. These examples demonstrate that prosperity is achievable without reliance on oil.
The transition from an oil-focused economy to one centred on agriculture will undoubtedly present challenges. It will call for strategic planning, substantial investments in infrastructure, education, technology, and the political resolve to execute reforms. However, such a shift is essential if we wish to liberate ourselves from the constraints of the oil economy and protect our environment for future generations.
This fresh direction would also align Nigeria with global trends. The world is rapidly shifting toward renewable energy sources, rendering fossil fuels less relevant with each passing day. Investing in green energy and sustainable agriculture would position Nigeria as a progressive nation, ready to embrace the worldwide shift. As we cast our gaze to the future, we must re-evaluate our priorities. Will we continue down a path of environmental destruction in pursuit of short-term profits, or are we prepared to embrace a future where sustainable agriculture underpins our economy? The decision is ours to make.
The battle against climate change and the quest for sustainable development should be central to our national conversation. As Nigerian citizens, we bear the responsibility to challenge antiquated norms and demand more from our leaders. The time has come to abandon the oil-focused mindset and stride toward a greener, more prosperous future.
Hurso Adam, PhD resides in Abuja
