Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and candidate for the African Democratic Congress, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing in agricultural exports while farmers face insecurity and manufacturers contend with high production costs.
Atiku claimed that despite promises to boost the economy, the government is allowing Nigeria to export crops without sufficiently developing domestic processing jobs. He remarked, “Tinubu cannot call this reform when the people who grow our food and the businesses that should process it are being squeezed from both sides.”
In a statement from Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku highlighted alarming trade figures, showing a decline in agricultural trade from a surplus of ₦740.27 billion in the first half of 2025 to a deficit of ₦56.13 billion in the first half of 2026—a reversal of ₦796.40 billion within a year. Agricultural exports decreased by 33.3%, outpacing the decline in imports.
Atiku called for accountability, saying, “The excuse that Nigerians simply imported too much will not stand. The President owes farmers, workers, and businesses more than another speech about prosperity.”
He stressed that farmers need real support, stating that benefits cannot come from mere promises. “Farmers cannot cultivate promises. Manufacturers cannot power factories with speeches,” he added.
He further argued that Nigeria should retain more value by processing its leading agricultural exports, such as cashew nuts and cocoa beans domestically.
Atiku condemned the Tinubu administration’s approach, saying it has resulted in increased production costs while erroneously being labelled as reform. “He cannot claim credit for every favourable statistic while disowning a ₦796.40 billion reversal when the figures turn against him,” he noted.
He proposed a production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria to help keep production jobs and value in the country, aiming to provide practical relief rather than ineffective schemes.
Atiku concluded that the government is failing Nigerians by exporting raw materials while they pay high prices for finished goods, stating, “A government that cannot turn our resources into affordable products and decent jobs has failed the people it was elected to serve.”
