Just like chatting over a cup of morning tea, let’s explore the buzz around Tinubu’s choice of words, “making agriculture more sexy” which was said during the Democracy Day Speech and why it matters now. The tone has stirred curiosity, criticism, and even memes across social platforms. Here’s the lowdown, in easygoing strokes.
1. Social Media Speaks From Praise to Puzzlement
Across X and TikTok, reactions have ranged from amused to deeply skeptical. On X, one user summed it up: “Tinubu says he is making Agriculture more sexy by providing tractors to farmers.” But a TikTok clip captioned it earnestly: “We’re making Agriculture more sexy by providing tractors”, clearly hoping to focus on meaningful reform.
What the president actually said was, “We are making agriculture more sexy by providing tractors and I ask you, the legislature, to join me as we enter the second half of our term to put forth innovative legislation that further encourages industrial development and job creation in our urban centres while also drafting laws that improve food security and production,”
But not all applause was genuine. Many users took aim at the term “sexy” describing it as gimmicky, awkward, or reducing serious policy to clickbait. Whether sarcasm or satire, the vibe is loud. One commenter on Facebook pleaded, “somebody, those that sabi English explain to us what ‘Sexy’ is doing in Agriculture.” This mixed reaction shows that while some see a catchy rebrand of agriculture, others feel the metaphor does little to mask the need for real support and clarity.
2. Digging Into the Word “Sexy” and What It Reveals
So what does Tinubu really mean by “sexy agriculture”?
His point: transforming farming into an attractive, modern, investment-worthy sector through access to tractors, machinery, and industrial farming opportunities. As reported, he appealed to the legislature for backing “innovative legislation that encourages industrial development and job creation.”
In plain terms, “sexy” is shorthand meant to inspire excitement, youth interest, and private investment. However, the metaphor risks misfire, some Nigerians highlight the phrase as off-target for a field riddled with systemic bottlenecks like infrastructure gaps, credit shortages, persistent security issues, and fluctuating input costs.
3. The Back-End Reality of Tinubu’s Action Plan
But let’s think out of the box, beyond the sound bite, Tinubu laid out solid measures to achieve this sexiness, and these are:
- Provision of tractors and mechanised equipment nationwide
- A call for legislative support to pass laws “that improve food security and production”
- Push for industrial agriculture, targeting youth employment and private-sector involvement
This means he has big dreams; he’s envisioning agriculture as a modern engine of industrial growth and youth jobs that’ll reduce unemployment in the country. Yet, as we all know the case of Nigeria political manifestos, the proof will be in the results, i.e, if we truly see tractors in action, rural electrification, broad access to credit, and protected farmlands.
In essence, Tinubu’s “sexy” phrase isn’t just wordplay, it’s a motivational rallying cry. But digital-era audiences want substance: deliverables that match the tagline he has dropped, not just hot air. He needs to actualize these claims for “sexy” to stick and show how agriculture can be more than catchy talk.
The Naija Lowdown Writer 