Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, a governorship aspirant in Benue State, has declared that the state possesses the capacity to feed not just Nigeria but the entire African continent if its agricultural potential is properly harnessed. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Kuraun said his 2027 ambition is anchored on transforming Benue into a continental food basket through practical, well-structured policies that address longstanding challenges in security, agriculture, and governance.
Agricultural Vision for Benue
“Benue has everything it takes to feed Africa. What has been lacking is a coordinated, value-driven approach that links production to processing and markets,” he said. Kuraun, a native of Mbaduku in Vandeikya Local Government Area, explained that despite over 70 per cent of the state’s population being engaged in farming, productivity remains low due to what he described as a fragmented agricultural system.
He proposed a holistic value chain model that integrates production, storage, processing, transportation, and market access, arguing that such an approach would drastically reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes. According to him, his administration would establish specialised agricultural hubs across local government areas based on their comparative advantages, alongside free trade zones designed to attract investors and scale agro-industrial activities.
“We must move from subsistence farming to agro-industrialisation. That is how Benue can truly take its place as a food hub not just for Nigeria, but for Africa,” he added.
Security and Governance Reforms
Kuraun stressed that achieving this vision would require tackling insecurity, which he described as the biggest threat to farming activities in the state. “Insecurity has made it difficult for farmers to access their lands. If we must feed Africa, we must first secure our communities,” he said. He outlined plans for a community-based security framework that would generate real-time intelligence for security agencies, insisting that solutions must be practical and result-oriented.
Beyond agriculture, Kuraun said his development agenda, encapsulated in the acronym “EASY-WIG” — Economy, Agriculture, Security, Youth Engagement, Women Empowerment, Infrastructure and Institutions, and Girl-Child Education — would drive inclusive growth across sectors.
Political and Economic Strategy
He also addressed internal issues within the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence in ongoing reconciliation efforts while advocating direct primaries as the most credible process for candidate selection. Kuraun emphasised that his administration would focus on policies that deliver measurable impact, supported by innovative financing strategies such as asset monetisation. “Any policy that does not add value is a waste of time. Our goal is to build a system that works — one that can position Benue as a leading agricultural force in Africa,” he said.
