By Abubakar Imam
The Director of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major-General Bello Alhaji Tsoho, has urged the Federal Government to integrate agricultural production into national security planning.
General Tsoho gave this advice last Wednesday (June 11, 2025) while delivering the 9th University of Ilorin’s Faculty of Agriculture Lecture, entitled “Agriculture And National Security: The Nigerian Armed Forces In Perspectives” at the University Auditorium.
He explained that for Nigeria to be truly secured, it must be self-sufficient in food production and that farmers and other Nigerians must be safe to pursue their livelihoods wherever they are in the country.
General Tsoho, who is a Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, said that it is a matter of necessity for the state to protect the lives and property of its citizens as he paid glowing tributes to the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and paramilitary organisations for working tirelessly at ensuring the safety of lives and property of all.
The senior military officer, who received his Master and doctorate degrees from the Faculty, suggested that a special agriculture security initiative should be launched to deploy military and paramilitary forces to safeguard farming communities against banditry, terrorism and communal conflicts.
He also encouraged the Federal Government to mandate the formation of a National Agricultural Stabilisation and Recovery Taskforce, which would involve the Armed forces, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency.
He explained that the taskforce should be made to focus on rapidly rehabilitating agricultural production in post-crisis regions through the building of critical infrastructures, provision of farm inputs and tools as well as support for displaced farmers to return to their livelihoods.
General Tsoho, who extensively explored the linkages between agriculture and national security, said that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, should formalise a Civil-Military Agricultural Cooperation Programme. He explained that the cooperation would leverage the Armed Forces’ logistics, security and organisational capabilities to support agricultural production, especially in conflict-affected regions.
He also suggested that the Defence Headquarters, in conjunction with the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air force departments of Civil-Military affairs should scale up projects with a view to further winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace in Nigeria, saying that they will assist in intelligence gathering.
General Tsoho, who is a former Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps, Lagos, further urged the Armed Forces to interact more closely with stakeholders such as traditional and religious leaders so as to intensify awareness on the need to embrace peace.
Welcoming guests to the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Prof. Oluyemisi Bolajoko Fawole, said that the lecture was initiated to promote interaction and networking.
Prof. Fawole said that agriculture is not just about food production but it also emcompasses social security, peace building and community development.
She expressed conviction that stakeholders would continue to work with one another towards promoting food security.
Declaring the lecture open, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said that the event couldn’t have come at a better time.
Prof. Egbewole, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare- Odunola, said that everything possible must be done to enhance agricultural productivity, noting that agriculture is crucial to national security.
He congratulated the Faculty of Agriculture on hosting the lecture, which, he said, would enhance the relationship between the gown and the town.
The event was attended by the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afees Abolore Alabi; the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Biodun Sulyman Alabi as well as Deans of various Faculties, alumni, staff and students of the Faculty of Agriculture.
