An agripreneur, Mr Chima Christian, has urged Nigerian youths and students to embrace tree planting, fruit processing and agribusiness as viable pathways to wealth creation, food security and sustainable development.
Christian, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Teva Foods, made the call on Wednesday at the flag-off of the 2026 Tree Planting Campaign organised to commemorate the 2026 International Cooperative Day at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The event was organised by the Centre for Agripreneurship and Cooperative Research/Practice (CACORP), NAU, in collaboration with Teva Foods, Jos, Plateau State, with the theme, “Planting Trees for Posterity, Climate Action and Prosperity.”
According to him, Nigeria currently has about 10.9 billion trees, many of which were not deliberately planted, stressing that countries that intentionally plant and nurture trees derive enormous environmental and economic benefits.
He said tree planting contributed to climate regulation, carbon sequestration and environmental sustainability, but lamented that Nigeria had yet to maximise the economic potential of its tree resources.
Christian said the country lost between 40 and 60 per cent of its fruit production annually due to inadequate preservation and processing facilities.
He urged youths to explore opportunities in fruit preservation and processing, noting that dried fruits could be sold during off-seasons and exported to international markets.
“As students and young Nigerians, you should look into fruit preservation and processing for economic sustainability and wealth creation.
“People are looking towards Africa to supply fresh fruits and vegetables, and there are huge opportunities in value addition and export,” he said.
Christian also encouraged young people to leverage cooperative systems and partnerships to venture into commercial agriculture.
According to him, Nigeria has more than 50 million hectares of unused arable land that can be utilised for productive agricultural activities.
He advised youths to partner with communities that possess fallow communal lands for tree cultivation, while ensuring that host communities benefit from the proceeds.
The agripreneur further urged students to acquire practical skills in cultivating crops such as coconuts, apples, grapes, carrots and vegetables, describing agribusiness as a profitable venture capable of attracting investors and creating long-term value.
Also speaking, Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Ben Odoemena, described tree planting as a critical climate action that should be pursued within the broader framework of sustainable agribusiness development.
Odoemena, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Chinyere Nwabachili, said tree planting offered multiple benefits, including erosion control, soil fertility enhancement, wind protection and biodiversity conservation.
He, however, stressed the need to view tree planting as an economic activity capable of generating income and improving livelihoods.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of NAU, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, commended Teva Foods for supporting the institution’s agricultural development efforts and empowering students with practical agribusiness skills.
Anyaehie, represented by Prof. Steven Ufoaroh, urged students and youths to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture to secure their future.
“There are limited employment opportunities today. Acquire these skills and knowledge because they will help you survive and succeed in today’s Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of CACORP, Dr Nma Okoroji, described cooperatives as drivers of innovation and development in the agricultural sector.
Okoroji said tree planting was both a moral and environmental responsibility, adding that climate action was essential for restoring the earth and securing prosperity for future generations.
She said the centre was equipping youths with practical agricultural and cooperative skills to promote food security, wealth creation and rural development.
The event featured a symbolic tree-planting exercise, donation of grape and apple seedlings by Teva Foods, and demonstrations on apple cultivation.
