An Ado Ekiti based Apiculturist, Mr. Daramola Akinwale has urged Nigerian leaders to embrace beekeeping as a practical solution to unemployment and overreliance on oil revenue.
He explained that honey production was not only lucrative, saying with a litre fetching over ₦6,000—but also environmentally friendly and low-maintenance.
You don’t need much physical energy to maintain hives. Income comes in quarterly,” Akinwale noted.
In addition to honey, bees produce wax, propolis, and pollen—all valuable in the production of medicine, skincare, and even shoe polish.
Akinwale, noted thatt the industry faces hurdles like bush burning, theft, and lack of access to finance while calling for government-backed bee villages with proper security and infrastructure to protect investments and attract youth participation.
This year’s World Bee Day theme, is “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All,” reinforces the importance of pollinators in achieving sustainable agriculture and food security.
