By Rashidat AbdulRahman
Niger State Government says it is driving wide ranging agricultural reforms aimed at positioning the state as Nigeria’s leading food producer.
Governor Umaru Bago, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yusuf Sadiq, made this known at the Niger State Council on Agriculture meeting in Minna, supported by AGRA and Niger Foods.
He described the council as the state’s highest agricultural policy making platform, noting that food security has become central to national stability and economic growth. Bago said his administration is deliberately shaping the future of agriculture through strategic planning and sustained investment.
Speaking in a goodwill message the Chairman Niger Foods Mr Sammy Adigun represented by the Executive Director Mrs Patience Koku said that Niger State has evolved from being merely a farm state to becoming an agricultural powerhouse, leveraging its 11% share of Nigeria’s land mass and its highly agrarian population.
She also disclosed that Through close partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture, development partners like AGRA, and other key stakeholders, Niger Foods is driving efforts to enhance productivity, strengthen trust at the grassroots, and support smallholder farmers to grow into medium and large scale producers.
Mrs Koku assures Niger Foods continues to provide inputs to thousands of farmers, support irrigation and agricultural infrastructure development, and attract private-sector investments needed to advance the sector.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Mathew Ahmed in emphasized the commitment of the State Council on Agriculture to transforming the agricultural sector through sustainable and transformative reforms.
He mentioned the critical need to bridge policy and impact by addressing systemic gaps such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change challenges.
Dr. Ahmed further stress that enhanced coordination, partnership building, and accountability as key strategies for successful agricultural development in Niger State.
These interventions aim to increase productivity, enhance financial access for farmers and SMEs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices to improve livelihoods in the state.
The representative of AGRA Dr.Rufus Idris emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Africa’s food systems by supporting farmers, the private sector, and key institutions that drive agricultural transformation.
He noted that AGRA’s work focuses on critical areas such as improving soil health, expanding access to quality and affordable seeds, and helping farmers build resilience against the impacts of climate change. Through partnerships, AGRA ensures that farmers benefit from essential services, innovative technologies, renewable energy solutions, and the knowledge they need to withstand environmental shocks.
According to him, each time he meets other AGRA country directors or attends global events, one recurring question arises: When will Nigeria step up as the big brother of Africa? He stressed that achieving food sovereignty and security in Nigeria would have a ripple effect across the continent, and similarly, success in Niger State would significantly influence Nigeria’s overall food security. This is why AGRA has continued to partner closely with the Niger State Government for many years, supporting various initiatives across the agricultural value chain.
major highlight of the event was the presentation of an Award of Excellence to the Chairman of Niger Foods, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing the state’s agricultural transformation.