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This study is a theoretical paper aimed at looking at issues, challenges and the way forward concerning agricultural development and employment generation in Nigeria. Nigeria as an economy is endowed with too many resources both human and natural. Yet there is still threat of poverty, starvation, insecurity and unemployment. The unemployment rate is so alarming that between the periods of 2010 and 2019 the rate stood at 5% and 23.1% and a projected 33.5 in 2020. This is a worrisome status as Nigeria serves as the global poverty capital with the incidences of high prevalence of crime rate, murders, kidnappings, militancy, armed robbery, drug abuse and many other vices. To combat this menace calls for urgent attention. It is in the light of the above this study is carried out to access the level of development in the agricultural sector and unraveling the potentials and capacity of the Nigeria agricultural sector if properly developed in generating jobs for the millions of people (Nigerians) without jobs. However, in the course of this study, poor agricultural funding, poor and lack of farm inputs, inconsistent and no sustained policy and programmes for the sector, lukewarm and lackadaisical attitude of political leaders and neglect of agricultural research institutes are seen as some major issues hampering the development of the agricultural sector in Nigeria, Furthermore, the study revealed that the agricultural sector is the most critical sector that has the potential to industrialize Nigeria, reduce poverty, increase food security and create jobs for the massive unemployed population. The study concludes that the development of agricultural sector is still at its infant age despite the numerous policy efforts of successive government to develop the sector. Therefore, it is suggest that the only way forward for Nigeria agricultural sector to drive industrialization, guarantee food security and employment generation is by total and massive investment in the sector, budgetary allocation to the sector should be increased by 10% to meet 2003 African Union Summit in Maputo and the right policy and programmes put in place, sustained and managed by patriotic states men and women for the benefit of all.