Former President of Botswana, Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, has said Nigeria possesses vast potential to build wealth and achieve long-term prosperity through sustained investment in agriculture and its value chains.

Masisi stated that the role of government is to create an enabling environment supported by sound policies, strong legal and regulatory frameworks, and targeted incentives to drive agricultural growth.

He made the remarks during a tour of Agbeyewa Farms in Ekiti State, where he urged Nigerian governments and policymakers at all levels to prioritise agriculture as a strategic sector for economic diversification and job creation.

The former president commended Niyi John Olajide, Chairman of Agbeyewa Farms, and his team for embracing innovation and technology at the right time. He noted that the farm’s use of modern technology and skilled workforce signals a promising future.

Masisi also described Olajide as a passionate African committed to job creation and economic prosperity across the continent.

“Governments must incentivise agriculture through tax breaks, subsidies, and supportive schemes. There is nowhere in the world where agriculture is not subsidised. Supporting agriculture is not a crime—it creates sustainable jobs, improves livelihoods, and enhances food and nutritional security,” he said.

He added that proper incentives would encourage investors and government agencies to diversify agricultural output and expand value addition.

Masisi further advised Nigeria to explore investment opportunities in the wildlife economy, noting that the country is losing billions of naira by failing to fully develop the sector. He explained that wildlife tourism and conservation generate substantial revenue for Botswana.

“We make hundreds of millions from our wildlife economy—elephants, zebras, antelopes, crocodiles. Nigeria has similar potential, but it remains largely untapped,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Cavista Holdings, the parent company of Agbeyewa Farms, Niyi John Olajide, said the company is committed to maximising the cassava value chain to create more jobs and economic opportunities.

According to him, Agbeyewa Farms is expanding into processing and value addition, including the production of ethanol, cassava starch, and high-quality cassava flour, while perfecting cultivation, aggregation, and agricultural trading.

Agbeyewa Farms is recognised as the largest cassava farm in the world, designed to enhance food security, supply industrial raw materials, and generate sustainable employment through modern agricultural practices.