The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has formally inaugurated the 2026 farming season alongside the distribution of mechanisation support equipment to farmers across the 25 local government areas of Niger State, in a move positioned to accelerate large-scale agricultural productivity and strengthen national food security.
The event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, drew attendance from top government officials, ministers, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), members of the State Executive Council, and key stakeholders within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. The scale of participation underscored the significance of the intervention within the broader national economic and food systems agenda.
At the inauguration, a wide range of mechanised farming equipment and inputs were deployed to support farmers ahead of the new season. These included 250 tractors, 50 combine harvesters, 150,000 bags of fertiliser, 1,500 planters, as well as ploughs, boom sprayers, and harrows. The distribution is expected to directly improve farm operations, reduce labour constraints, and increase yield efficiency across participating farming clusters in the state.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady commended Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, widely referred to as the “farmer governor,” for prioritising agriculture as a central pillar of economic development. She noted that the state has steadily positioned itself as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs through consistent investment and policy direction.
According to her, the initiative represents more than a seasonal launch, describing it as “a bold statement that Nigeria is ready to feed herself,” while also signalling a deliberate transition away from subsistence agriculture towards a modern, mechanised, and commercially viable system. She added that the distribution of equipment would empower farmers with the tools required to increase productivity, improve livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She further emphasised that the state government’s efforts align closely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the areas of food availability and affordability. “It is clear that food security must be treated as a national priority,” she stated, while urging beneficiaries to utilise the equipment effectively and embrace modern farming techniques to maximise outcomes during the season.
Governor Bago, in his remarks, provided insights into the scale and economic expectations of the programme. He disclosed that the state’s agricultural investments are targeted at cultivating approximately 120,000 hectares of land across all 25 local government areas. The initiative, he said, is projected to generate about 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, while delivering an estimated yield of 500,000 tonnes of assorted food products per farming season, covering both wet and dry cycles.
He noted that the introduction of these agricultural tools and inputs would have a multiplier effect not just within Niger State but across the broader agricultural ecosystem in Nigeria. “This will greatly improve the entire agriculture chain beyond the state,” he said, highlighting the potential for expanded supply, processing, and distribution networks.
The governor added that since the commencement of mechanisation efforts under his administration, measurable progress has been recorded, reinforcing agriculture as a top policy priority. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to positioning Niger State as a primary source of food production for the nation, backed by sustained investment and infrastructure development.
Part of the state’s forward strategy, according to Bago, includes the expansion of irrigation systems to support multiple production cycles within a year, thereby reducing reliance on seasonal rainfall. He also disclosed plans to develop structured off-take arrangements to manage the expected increase in output, ensuring that farmers have guaranteed markets for their produce.
He called on farmers and stakeholders to collaborate closely with the Niger Food Security and Logistics Limited, a state-owned enterprise established to coordinate production, logistics, and distribution across the agricultural value chain. He also appealed to the First Lady to facilitate additional agricultural investments into the state, noting its vast untapped potential.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, in his remarks, described the initiative as strategic, stating that Niger State is on track to become a major hub for food security in Nigeria. He linked this potential to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the proposed Sokoto–Badagry coastal superhighway, which is expected to enhance connectivity and agricultural logistics nationwide.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, reiterated the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economic stability. He noted that the federal government is actively exploring policies and partnerships aimed at ensuring that agriculture continues to play a leading role in improving the country’s GDP.
On his part, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stated that the federal government is intensifying collaboration with state governments and private sector stakeholders to achieve national food self-sufficiency. He pointed out that Niger State, with the largest arable land in the country, is demonstrating leadership in scaling agricultural productivity.
Further contributions came from the Chairman of Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics, Sammy Adigun, who highlighted the state’s natural resource advantage and ongoing partnerships aimed at expanding mechanised farming. Similarly, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, affirmed that the intervention aligns with the federal government’s food security objectives and assured continued collaboration.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, described the event as a major milestone in the state’s mechanisation drive, reflecting a clear commitment to modernising agriculture and empowering farmers.
Traditional institutions also endorsed the initiative, with the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Agaie, Yusuf Nuhu, noting that the intervention would significantly address food insecurity challenges across the state and beyond.
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