Nigerian Professor Turns Farmer, Sells Vegetables Amid Tinubu’s Harsh Economic Policies
A Professor of Biology at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU), Katsina, Nasir Hassan-Wagini, has revealed that he engages in farming and sells vegetables at the local market despite his academic status, urging Nigerian youths to embrace small businesses rather than wait endlessly for white-collar jobs.
Speaking on Monday during an interview at the Batsari weekly market in Katsina State, the professor, who specialises in plant resources, lamented the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, especially under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said self-reliance through agriculture and entrepreneurship remains the most viable option in the face of a dwindling economy and rising unemployment.
Born into a farming family, Prof. Hassan-Wagini stated that his background shaped his passion for agriculture and enterprise from an early age. He maintained that the realities of today’s economy call for a mindset shift among Nigerian graduates, urging them to abandon the stigma associated with small businesses.
“My call to NCE, diploma, and degree holders is that they should feel free to start small businesses in their communities instead of staying idle. I am a professor, but I still engage in this kind of trade. That may clear their minds because they feel shame and too big to go into such businesses,” he said.
He added, “What matters is your contribution to society. Stop staying at home doing nothing just because you haven’t got a job. Start small, like I have done, and grow from there.”
Prof. Hassan-Wagini also noted that many young people leave their communities in search of elusive jobs in cities, while viable opportunities in farming and trading are ignored. He stressed that combining education with vocational skills is the key to sustainable success in the current economic climate.
“Our youths should stop going to other places looking for jobs. They should get into farming and other small businesses to become self-reliant. Self-reliance is key to a successful life,” he said.
A fellow trader in the market, Malam Uzairu, praised the professor’s humility and dedication. He described him as a man of integrity who relates well with everyone in the market, regardless of their background.
“We respect him, and he respects us. He’s a very nice person who knows how to relate with all categories of people,” Uzairu said.
Market prices have soared in recent months, with a 100kg bag of onions selling for N65,000 and above, a 100kg bag of dried red pepper at N115,000, and fresh hot pepper (50kg) going for as high as N100,000, depending on the quality.
Despite security concerns in the region, business activities in Batsari have seen some improvement, with local farmers and traders resuming regular operations.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
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