By Dennis Okechukwu
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday flagged off the 2026 planting season in Niger State, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to food security and agricultural transformation.
The event, which also featured the distribution of farming tools and implements to farmers across the state, was described by the First Lady as a significant step toward achieving national food self-sufficiency and rural prosperity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Tinubu said the initiative signaled Nigeria’s readiness to move from subsistence farming to mechanised and commercially viable agriculture. According to her, the support provided to farmers would boost productivity, improve livelihoods, and contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on July 13, 2023, declared a state of emergency on food security, stressing that food availability and affordability must remain top national priorities. She added that the distribution of fertilisers and other inputs aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at strengthening agriculture.
The First Lady also paid tribute to Nigerian farmers, describing them as the backbone of the nation’s survival. She commended their resilience and dedication, noting that the government’s intervention was meant to ensure their efforts are recognised and rewarded.
In his remarks, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago reiterated that agriculture remains central to his administration’s agenda. He noted that the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu had increased revenue available to states, enabling greater investment in agriculture and other sectors.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has made more resources available to sub-nationals, allowing us to achieve more, particularly in agriculture,” the governor said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, commended the state government’s efforts, expressing confidence that the provision of modern equipment would significantly enhance farmers’ productivity.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted the importance of infrastructure to agricultural growth. He noted that the ongoing Sokoto–Badagry Highway project, which will feature over 300 dams, would improve irrigation and ease the transportation of farm produce.
As part of the exercise, the First Lady handed over 250 tractors with 75-horsepower capacity, 50 combined harvesters, and 150,000 bags of fertiliser for distribution across the 25 local government areas of the state.
The initiative is expected to strengthen agricultural output and support Nigeria’s drive toward food sufficiency.