INTRO : Agriculture refers to the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for food, fiber, raw materials, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. In economic terms, it encompasses crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, serving as “ the major and most certain path to economic growth ” for developing nations (Ogen, 2007). Within Nigeria, agriculture remains foundational despite structural shifts since the 1970s oil boom. This article examines five reasons why agriculture is important in Nigeria , drawing on macroeconomic, social, and policy analyses as follows: 1. Contribution to GDP, Employment, and Livelihoods: Agriculture is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy. It “ accounts for about a quarter of the country’s GDP and nearly half of its workforce ” (Fatai et al., 2018). Historically, it “contributed over 60% of the GDP in the 1960s” and today “contributes 26 per cent to the GDP and employs approximately 70 per cent of the workforce” (Ogen, 2007; Pun...