Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the deterioration in Nigeria’s agricultural trade balance, arguing that the country is losing export earnings while farmers and manufacturers contend with insecurity and high production costs.

Atiku said Nigeria’s agricultural trade balance moved from a surplus of ₦740.27 billion in the first half of 2025 to a deficit of ₦56.13 billion in the corresponding period of 2026, representing a reversal of ₦796.40 billion.

His position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC.

Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) publishes quarterly foreign trade data covering agricultural exports and imports. Its Q2 2026 Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report is available through its official data portal.

According to Atiku, agricultural exports declined significantly during the period, while imports also fell but at a slower pace.

He argued that the figures should not be viewed simply as evidence that Nigerians were importing too much, but as an indication of weakening export earnings from the agricultural sector.

“Atiku said the more significant concern was the decline in what Nigeria was earning from agricultural exports, insisting that the Federal Government must explain the factors behind the deterioration.

“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,” he said.

The former vice president attributed the development to what he described as weaknesses in the government’s agricultural and industrial policies.

He listed insecurity, high production costs and inadequate conditions for domestic processing among the challenges affecting farmers and manufacturers.

“What has his administration done to make it safer to farm, cheaper to move produce, easier to keep a processing plant running or more profitable to sell a finished Nigerian product? Farmers cannot cultivate promises.

Manufacturers cannot power factories with speeches,” Atiku said.

Nigeria’s agricultural exports include commodities such as cocoa, cashew nuts and sesame seeds. Recent NBS trade figures have also shown a decline in agricultural exports, with agricultural exports in Q2 2026 reported at about ₦802.99 billion, down 31.51 per cent from Q1 2026 and 36.09 per cent year-on-year.

Atiku also criticised Nigeria’s continued dependence on the export of largely unprocessed agricultural commodities, arguing that the practice limits the country’s ability to generate jobs and retain greater value domestically.

According to him, Nigeria produces the raw materials while foreign markets and companies often undertake more of the processing, allowing them to capture a larger share of the value chain.

“We grow the crop. Someone else does more of the processing, builds a business around it and earns the larger return. Then Tinubu speaks of jobs while Nigerian factories struggle to compete,” he said.

The ADC candidate argued that stronger investment in domestic processing would help Nigeria move beyond the export of raw commodities while creating opportunities for manufacturers, farmers and workers.

He also questioned the conditions under which agricultural producers operate, particularly the cost of transporting farm produce, access to energy for processing facilities and the security situation in farming communities.

The Federal Government, meanwhile, has taken steps aimed at addressing some challenges affecting agricultural exports. In July, it.

inaugurated an interministerial committee to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural quarantine and biosecurity systems following concerns over the rejection of Nigerian agricultural products in international markets.

Atiku acknowledged that the agricultural trade balance alone could not explain every difficulty facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, but maintained that the figures should prompt the government to account for the policies implemented under its administration.

He said reversing the decline would require policies that improve security for farmers, reduce production and logistics costs, expand domestic processing capacity and increase the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products in international markets.

The latest figures have also renewed attention on the broader challenge of diversifying Nigeria’s export earnings beyond crude oil.

Analysts have noted that although non-oil exports remain important to the economy, structural weaknesses persist in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condoled with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and families of the victims of Monday’s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The party expressed sadness over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, which occurred near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.

Keyamo said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when it disappeared from radar at about 9:13am.

The aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, was later located near the naval base in Igbokoda.

Reacting to the incident, the PDP expressed grief over the loss of the military personnel and extended its condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those who died.

In a statement issued on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, described the deaths as painful.

“Our service personnel have given so much for the unity and survival of this country, and news of their deaths is deeply painful,” Turaki said.

He added, “On behalf of the PDP family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the fallen.

We pray that such tragedies do not recur.”

The opposition party also called for a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The PDP prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the incident and expressed sympathy with their families and colleagues.

President Bola Tinubu has also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The President extended his condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members reportedly involved in the incident.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that the ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos before the accident.

The Air Force also said it activated search and rescue operations following the incident.

Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the aircraft disappearing from radar and subsequently crashing near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

Further details on the identities of the victims and the findings of the investigation are expected as authorities continue their response to the incident.

The All Progressives Congress youths in the South-West have commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, for his youth-focused initiatives aimed at promoting economic empowerment and development among young Nigerians.

The APC South-West Youth Leader, Adesuyi Daramola, gave the commendation while felicitating with the traditional ruler on the occasion of the 2026 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

In a statement issued by the Media and Publicity Director, Office of the APC South-West Youth Leader, Remilekun Oyelowo, and made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Daramola praised the monarch for what he described as his sustained commitment to youth.

empowerment, economic development and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

Daramola described the Ooni as a father figure who had demonstrated concern for the welfare and aspirations of young Nigerians, particularly youths across the South-West.

He said the monarch’s various initiatives and investments had supported entrepreneurship, created economic opportunities and.

contributed to job creation, giving young people platforms to improve their livelihoods and make meaningful contributions to society.

“The Ooni’s various initiatives and investments have supported entrepreneurship, created economic opportunities and contributed to job creation, thereby providing young Nigerians with platforms to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

The APC youth leader also commended Ogunwusi for advocating responsible leadership and urging political leaders to prioritise the welfare and interests of citizens.

According to him, the monarch’s call for responsive leadership was timely, noting that an enabling environment remained essential to achieving sustainable development.

“The message by the referred traditional ruler is timely and important. Responsive leadership and an enabling environment are essential to achieving sustainable national development,” Daramola said.

Olojo Festival
Daramola described the Olojo Festival as an important celebration of the cultural heritage of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba people.

He said the festival’s themes of thanksgiving, hope, renewal and unity extended beyond cultural celebration and offered an opportunity for reflection on values capable of promoting peace and social cohesion.

The APC South-West youth leader urged Nigerian youths to remain peaceful, productive and committed to the development of their communities.

He encouraged young people to take advantage of legitimate opportunities to contribute positively to their communities and the country.

Daramola also extended his best wishes to the people of Ile-Ife and Nigerians celebrating the 2026 Olojo Festival, praying for peace, prosperity and sustainable development across the country.