A former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Monisoye Olusola Afolabi, has described “The Sovereign Soil: Unlocking the Wealth and Future of Nigeria’s Agriculture through the Sovereign Agrarian” as a timely and transformative contribution to agricultural development in Nigeria and West Africa.
In a detailed review of the book authored by A.Y. Mumeen, Dr. Afolabi praised the work for its practical insights, clarity, and innovative approach to addressing challenges within the agricultural value chain.
According to him, the author successfully combines academic research, farming experience, entrepreneurship, youth mobilization, and social activism to produce a book that is both intellectually rich and practically applicable.
Dr. Afolabi noted that the book presents the concept of the “Sovereign Agrarian” as a smart and strategic farmer who understands production systems, logistics, markets, branding, and environmental realities while deploying modern “just-in-time” and “just-enough” processes for profitability and sustainability.
He further described the book as “calm, inviting, exhaustive without being exhausting,” adding that it introduces a fresh voice to agricultural discourse in Nigeria.
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“The agricultural sector has found a new voice,” he wrote, noting that the ideas and policy analyses contained in the book demonstrate that innovation is not necessarily about invention, but about the prudent use of existing resources and systems capable of driving food security and agro-business sustainability.
The former ECOWAS official also emphasized that the book goes beyond sectoral conversations on agriculture by presenting an integrated framework that connects production, logistics, markets, and technology in a seamless manner.
He identified youths and unemployed graduates as one of the most important target audiences for the publication, stressing that the book equips readers with practical tools to navigate the often difficult agricultural value chain — from access to land and inputs to processing, marketing, and distribution.
“The harvest is much, but the workers are few,” he stated, adding that those who embrace the ideas contained in the book would reap both financial rewards and personal fulfilment.
Dr. Afolabi highlighted the book’s three major pillars — Knowledge, Systems, and Markets — describing them as well-structured and solution-driven.
According to him, the first pillar, Knowledge Sovereignty, emphasizes the transition from manual farming practices to knowledge-driven agricultural engagement, while the second pillar focuses on the application of standards and systems to improve productivity and profitability.
He added that the third pillar expands agriculture beyond farming into logistics, digital systems, fintech, and market access, thereby transforming agriculture from a subsistence occupation into a pathway for sustainable wealth creation.
The review also recommended the book for entrepreneurship studies in universities and colleges of agriculture, as well as for youth empowerment programmes such as NYSC and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) initiatives.
Concluding his review, Dr. Afolabi unreservedly endorsed both the author and the book, describing it as a valuable resource for accelerating agricultural development in Nigeria.
“The book is well-written in clear non-technical language and in modules that permit knowledge retention,” he said.
He added that the publication opens up “vistas for extended work and applications” across Nigeria’s agricultural and economic development landscape.
