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Niger: First Lady Flags Off 2026 Farming Season

by admin on | 2026-05-03 17:04:35

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Niger: First Lady Flags Off 2026 Farming Season

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the 2026 farming season in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, alongside the distribution of modern farming equipment to farmers across the state’s 25 local government areas.

The event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, attracted top government officials, ministers, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), members of the State Executive Council, and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Items distributed include 250 tractors, 50 combine harvesters, 150,000 bags of fertiliser, 1,500 planters, as well as ploughs, boom sprayers, and harrows.

Mrs. Tinubu praised Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his strong commitment to agriculture, noting that Niger State has become one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs. She said the governor’s efforts demonstrate that agriculture is a reliable path to economic growth, job creation, and long-term sustainability.

According to her, the programme marks a significant shift from traditional farming to modern, mechanised, and commercial agriculture. She added that the initiative will help farmers increase productivity, improve their income, and contribute more to Nigeria’s economy.

The First Lady also stated that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises food availability and affordability. She urged farmers to make good use of the equipment and adopt modern farming methods.

In his remarks, Governor Bago said his administration is investing heavily in agriculture to support farming on 120,000 hectares of land across the state. He explained that the plan will create about 3,000 jobs and produce an estimated 500,000 tons of food each farming season.

The governor added that the new equipment and inputs will improve the entire agricultural value chain, not only in Niger State but across the country. He also said his government will expand irrigation systems to enable year-round farming and ensure proper arrangements for purchasing farmers’ produce.

He called on farmers and stakeholders to work closely with the Niger Food Security and Logistics Limited to achieve food production targets and appealed to the First Lady to continue supporting the state by attracting more agricultural investments.

The National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, commended the initiative, saying it will strengthen food security, especially with ongoing national infrastructure projects.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris Malagi, described agriculture as vital to Nigeria’s economy and said the federal government is committed to supporting the sector.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the government is working with states and stakeholders to ensure Nigeria can feed itself, noting that Niger State is taking the lead due to its vast fertile land.

Other speakers, including the Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, and the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the initiative will modernise farming, boost productivity, and empower farmers.

The Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Agaie, Yusuf Nuhu, described the programme as a major step toward addressing food insecurity in the country.