The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • BevAgro drives green revolution in Nigeria’s food system with solar-powered EV network

    BevAgro drives green revolution in Nigeria’s food system with solar-powered EV network

    Nigeria’s food system is undergoing a green transformation as agritech startup BevAgro introduces electric vehicles (EVs), solar-powered battery swap hubs, and pay-as-you-go financing to tackle one of the nation’s biggest agricultural challenges — food loss.

    According to the World Bank, Nigeria loses over $7 billion worth of food annually before it reaches consumers, due to poor logistics, high fuel costs, and a lack of affordable transport. BevAgro is addressing this by creating a clean, cost-effective mobility solution that empowers farmers, traders, and delivery operators.

    “We turn food losses into profits by powering farmers, traders, and delivery riders with EVs financed seamlessly through every battery swap,” said Ashaolu, Chief Operating Officer of BevAgro.

    The company’s model, known as the “Agri-to-City Mobility Grid,” connects rural farms to city markets using electric three-wheelers, cargo vans, and e-bikes. Over 150 EVs are already operational along key agricultural routes, supported by solar-powered hubs that enable quick battery swaps — cutting fuel costs and eliminating downtime.

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    Farmers and traders adopting BevAgro’s solution report lower transport costs, faster deliveries, and fresher produce reaching urban markets. “We’ve seen spoilage drop significantly,” said a market trader in Oyo State. “With BevAgro’s EVs, I now spend less and sell more. It’s changing how we do business.”

    To scale its operations, BevAgro recently secured a $1.7 million grant from a leading Development Finance Institution (DFI) and an additional $1.4 million loan from a local commercial bank to expand its solar swap hubs and smart-financing pool.

    BevAgro’s proprietary platform integrates IoT-enabled batteries, smart repayment systems, and real-time data analytics to create a transparent, bankable ecosystem. Each battery swap triggers a micro-repayment, allowing users to gradually own their vehicles while maintaining cash flow.

    “This is more than transportation; it’s transformation,” Ashaolu added. “Every swap, every kilometre, every farmer we empower moves us closer to a cleaner, more profitable food system.”

    By replacing petrol-powered logistics with solar-driven mobility, BevAgro’s business model is turning waste into wealth, emissions into savings, and mobility into opportunity. Each swap hub is projected to reach profitability within 30 months, sustained by recurring energy revenue and predictable repayments.

    “Our mission is simple,” Ashaolu said. “Feed families, power livelihoods, and protect the planet — one electric mile at a time.”

  • NIRSAL facilitates N70bn in agribusiness financing

    NIRSAL facilitates N70bn in agribusiness financing

    …targets N150 billion by year-end

    The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) has facilitated over N70 billion in commercial financing for agribusinesses as of the third quarter of 2025, marking its strongest annual performance since inception.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the organisation said it remains confident of achieving its N150 billion target for 2025, reflecting renewed momentum in agricultural lending and investor confidence in the sector.

    According to NIRSAL, since it began operations in 2013, the latest result accounts for nearly a quarter of its cumulative N270 billion facilitated for agriculture and agribusiness to date. 

    The institution said this milestone represents “an achievement that reflects the impact of NIRSAL’s revamped strategy under its new Board and Executive Management.”

    The statement observed that this turnaround comes at a crucial time when bank lending to agriculture had been in steady decline. 

    “Bank lending to agriculture fell from 6.18 percent of aggregate lending in 2022 to 4.82 percent in 2024, while sectoral growth slowed from 2.5 percent to 1.7 percent within the same period,” it said.

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    NIRSAL noted that the application of its signature tools for value chain modelling, alongside targeted technical support and risk-sharing frameworks, has helped restore lender confidence in agribusiness financing. 

    “By applying its signature tools for value chain modelling to address identified issues, providing technical support to agribusinesses and financial institutions, all while deploying its risk-sharing frameworks, NIRSAL has restored lender confidence, thus channelling fresh funds into key value chains, including grains, cocoa, shea, and livestock,” the statement added.

    On impact, the institution disclosed that the financing surge has led to a tangible rise in local production and improved trade performance. 

    “There has been an improvement in local production across key commodities and a positive balance of trade for agriculture, with over 32 percent of the facilitated sum directly supporting value-added commodity export. Most notably, agriculture’s share of bank lending has risen again to 5.33 percent as of May 2025, reflecting renewed interest from financiers,” it stated.

    NIRSAL also revealed that two newly licensed banks have entered the agricultural finance space relying on its frameworks, contributing to the N70 billion already facilitated this year.

    Commenting on the milestone, NIRSAL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sa’ad Hamidu, said the result demonstrates the viability of sustainable agricultural financing. 

    “N70 billion may appear modest compared to the size of Nigeria’s agricultural financing needs, but the significance is profound. It proves that agriculture can be commercially and sustainably financed. With the right blend of capital, technical support, and risk mitigation, the sector can become more productive, resilient, and globally competitive,” Hamidu said.

    He noted that the organisation’s confidence in achieving its N150 billion annual target remains strong, given that the busiest period for agricultural financing is yet to begin. 

    “This is not yet the peak of the harvest season when merchants typically seek credit for offtake and storage, and when super agro-dealers stock up on fertilisers and inputs ahead of the next planting cycle. Therefore, the opportunities still to come give us every reason for optimism,” he explained.

    NIRSAL stated that beyond facilitating loans, it is reshaping the entire agricultural lending ecosystem through an integrated model that covers prospect identification, deal structuring, business advisory, and credit guarantees. 

    The model, according to the organisation, “handholds agribusinesses from loan origination to disbursement,” enabling them to transition from unbankable enterprises to sustainable borrowers.

    The statement noted that several agribusinesses that once relied on NIRSAL’s intervention have now evolved into regular clients of commercial banks, with lenders gaining deeper understanding of agricultural value chains and greater confidence in financing them. 

    “This proves that the NIRSAL model is a pathway to long-term sustainability in the agriculture sector,” it said.

    The N70 billion facilitated so far, NIRSAL explained, is the result of extensive capacity-building efforts across financial institutions. The organisation trained over 1,100 bank staff to improve their understanding of agricultural financing within NIRSAL’s risk-sharing framework, which has contributed to an increase in loan approvals. It also trained 450 agricultural value chain participants on feedlot management, commodity export, and climate finance — interventions that are expected to yield long-term benefits for sectoral growth.

    Looking ahead, NIRSAL said it is developing a digital platform known as the NIRSAL LandBank Portal, designed to connect stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem — from research and development to markets. The portal will provide data-driven insights to investors, policymakers, and development partners for identifying opportunities, reducing risk, and making informed decisions.

    The organisation added that the LandBank portal would also serve as a project development hub, particularly in climate finance. It recently signed a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide off-grid power to production and processing clusters in rural areas — a move NIRSAL believes will build resilience in agricultural value chains and support Nigeria’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.

    Since its establishment, NIRSAL has maintained its mandate of de-risking agricultural lending, promoting access to finance, and proving that agriculture is both bankable and sustainable. 

    The 2025 performance, it said, signals “not just recovery, but a new era of confidence for Nigeria’s farmers, financiers, and the wider economy.”

  • Fed Govt reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to Kampala’s declaration on food security

    Fed Govt reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to Kampala’s declaration on food security

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Kampala Declaration (2026–2036) on Agriculture and Food Security.

    This, he said, will enhance sustainable food production, drive agro-industrialisation, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost intra-African agricultural trade.

    Kyari stated this during the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) with the theme “From Kampala to Abuja: Transforming Agrifood Systems in Nigeria,” held in Abuja.

    According to the Minister, the declaration’s implementation seeks to deepen agricultural investments, promote regional integration, foster inclusivity, advance research and development, encourage innovation, and strengthen governance structures across the sector.

    “The need to drive food system transformation cannot be overemphasized. We must move beyond business-as-usual approaches and embrace bold reforms that make our food systems more productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. This transformation is essential to ensure food security in the country,” Kyari said.

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    He noted that the Federal Government has made significant progress through clear policy direction and collaboration with state governments in executing the Malabo Declaration, with the African Union’s Biennial Review showing notable improvement in Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem over the past decade.

    Kyari revealed that the ministry has established an Agricultural Sector Working Group consisting of research institutions, private sector actors, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and civil society stakeholders.

    He explained that the group serves as a governance mechanism to scale up best practices, monitor progress, identify gaps, and mobilise collective action toward achieving shared goals in the agricultural sector.

    Highlighting key government initiatives, Kyari disclosed that the Federal Government has provided 2,000 tractors and related implements to enhance food production and has launched the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with more to follow.

    He added that under the SAPZ project, the country has attracted $538.05 million in investments, leveraging private sector participation to establish industrial hubs and agricultural transformation centers. This initiative, he said, is expected to stimulate an additional $1 billion in investment by 2027.

    The Minister also referenced the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), unveiled at the recent Africa Food System Summit in Dakar, which targets the reduction of annual post-harvest losses estimated at ₦3.5 trillion.

    “The outcome of this investment drive will create a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable food system — improving farmers’ income, reducing waste, strengthening value chains, and advancing national food sovereignty,” he stated.

    Kyari emphasised that achieving the objectives of the Kampala Declaration requires strong synergy between federal and state governments, urging Commissioners of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Rural Development to align efforts for effective policy implementation.

    “Our challenges require not only innovative solutions but also coordinated action and unwavering commitment at every level of government,” he added, assuring that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting state-level initiatives in alignment with CAADP and national priorities.

    Delivering her goodwill message, Deputy Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, GIZ, and other partners for organizing the summit.

    She said the Kampala Declaration offers Africa an opportunity to realign agricultural goals and address challenges such as low productivity, climate shocks, and gender inequality.

    Dankabo presented findings from ActionAid’s Non-State Actors Biennial Review Value Addition Toolkit (NSAs VABKIT), which identified critical gaps affecting smallholder women farmers, including limited access to credit (below 23%), agricultural insurance (4.77%), and processing facilities (18%).

    She urged increased investment in women-led agribusinesses, agricultural extension services, and post-harvest infrastructure.

    Dankabo also announced the launch of ActionAid’s Pots and Pans Campaign” on October 1, 2025, aimed at raising awareness about hunger and poverty among Nigeria’s 133 million citizens living in multidimensional poverty.

    The campaign encourages peaceful protest against hunger by banging empty pots and pans in public spaces, using hashtags such as #MyHungerStory, #PotsAndPansAction, and #EndHungerNow.

    In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi,said CAADP implementation has transformed Nigeria’s agricultural landscape by aligning national policies with continental priorities and driving measurable progress.

    Also speaking, Dr. Karen Yansen, Head of German Cooperation, described the Kampala Declaration as an evidence-based framework designed to strengthen governance systems through integrated monitoring, inclusivity, and equity.

  • NCAN refute claims of alleged leadership crisis

    NCAN refute claims of alleged leadership crisis

    The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an interim leadership within the association, reaffirming that Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku remains its duly elected and recognised national president.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday, NCAN described the claims made at a recent press briefing by an unidentified group, stressing that the so-called interim executives do not represent the interests of the cashew industry.

    The association explained that its national election was conducted on 23 November 2024 at the FACAN Headquarters in Abuja, where Dr. Ajanaku emerged as president and was duly sworn in by the Board of Trustees. 

    It maintained that any insinuation of a leadership tussle was a ploy to misinform stakeholders and distract from ongoing efforts to strengthen the cashew subsector.

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    Responding to allegations that NCAN had delayed the implementation of the cashew industry road map, the association clarified that the document was produced by an international development partner and is currently undergoing review in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). 

    According to NCAN, the review is necessary to ensure the framework aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities.

    “The association remains united and focused on advancing the nation’s cashew industry. We assure Nigerians and international partners that NCAN, under the leadership of Dr. Ajanaku, is open for business and committed to driving growth in the sector,” the statement read.

    NCAN therefore urged stakeholders to disregard the claims of what it described as self-styled interim executives, while reiterating its commitment to working with government and private sector players to boost cashew production, processing, and export in Nigeria.

  • Fed Govt, stakeholders move against fake seed dealers

    Fed Govt, stakeholders move against fake seed dealers

    The federal government and major players in the agricultural sector have launched a crackdown on breeders, wholesalers, and retailers involved in the sale of substandard seeds.

    According to them, seed security is fundamental to achieving food security, stressing that fraudulent dealers often deceive farmers into purchasing seeds they claim are high grade, but which in reality are inferior.

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Evaluation Mission Team, warned that Nigeria cannot achieve food sufficiency with poor-quality seeds despite heavy investment in the sector.

    “If we must guarantee food security, farmers must have access to quality and affordable seeds at all times. That is the reason behind this initiative,” Sabi said.

    He added that Nigeria is eager to strengthen global collaboration, noting that the country’s current yield gap is troubling.

    “We believe we can do better. Sometimes, the failure to meet our yield potential is because what farmers plant as seeds are not truly seeds, and even when they are, their quality is questionable.”

    Director-General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Fatuhu Mohammed, also vowed to end the malpractice, noting that the circulation of fake seeds has cost Nigeria millions of dollars in lost food production.

    He lamented that, unlike countries such as the United States and Israel, where seed councils are regarded as vital national institutions, Nigeria has failed to give its council the same priority.

    “In the U.S., the seed council is considered a national asset. In Israel, they do not joke with seed quality. Unfortunately, here we take it lightly,” he said.

    Mohammed disclosed that weekly inspections will be carried out across the six zones of the country to prevent adulterated seeds from reaching farmers. The monitoring exercise, he said, will involve agro ranchers, 36 state coordinators, and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    He further urged the public to report anyone selling fake seeds, stressing that the campaign requires collective responsibility.

    “We are strengthening compliance monitoring and enforcement. If you see someone trading fake seeds and fail to alert security agencies, you are not only harming yourself but also the country,” he said.

  • NADF calls for private sector investment to drive food system transformation 

    NADF calls for private sector investment to drive food system transformation 

    The Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed A. Ibrahim, has called for private sector to strengthen Nigeria’s food system transformation.

    According to him,  Nigeria used the just-concluded Africa Food Systems Summit deal room to demonstrate its readiness to collaborate with private investors and financiers in strengthening agricultural value chains.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Ibrahim explained that the forum validated the need for regional approaches, shared solutions, and cross-country learning to address food system challenges across Africa.

    “The crux of the matter was, how do we sit down as bodies that could drive investment into the sector? We found that across Africa, there are common problems and common solutions. What this summit has done is to validate the need for regional approaches, shared learnings, and the creation of similar projects across ecosystems,” he said.

    Beyond showcasing Nigeria’s legacy project, agencies such as NADF and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), alongside international financiers, presented ongoing interventions aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving resilience.

    Ibrahim stressed that governments alone cannot sustain agricultural transformation, underscoring the need for private capital.

     “Funding goes where it would come out. Our role is to create the enabling environment where private capital can flow into agriculture. That is why we provide not just finance but also technical support, feasibility studies, and commercial research to de-risk the sector,” he noted.

    According to him, NADF’s mandate includes blended finance, concessionary loans, guarantees, and technical assistance grants targeted at agricultural value chains. The Fund has also invested in research, feasibility studies, and needs assessments of agricultural institutes to ensure sustainability.

    He highlighted NADF’s flagship Agro Project, which supports agro processors with subsidised financing to strengthen linkages between farmers and factories. So far, about 40 agro processors with proven backward integration models have been pre-qualified to receive subsidized inputs across rice, maize, soya beans, and cassava value chains.

    “Agro processors are critical players in Nigeria’s food system, as they drive value addition and stabilize prices. But poor supply chain structures have forced many to turn to farming themselves. Our intervention seeks to reverse this trend by ensuring consistent farmer–factory linkages,” Ibrahim explained.

    He further stated that the NADF plans to scale up dry season farming across several states through blended finance products, robust monitoring and evaluation, and partnerships with River Basin Development Authorities to expand irrigation.

    “Dry season farming has proven to be more productive due to better control of water and land. Beyond financing, we are investing in holistic mechanization  across crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries supported by modern tools, data-driven monitoring, and improved water management,” he said.

    At the continental level, Ibrahim noted that the Africa Food Systems Summit emphasised the shared challenges of underinvestment, climate change, and post-harvest losses. 

    The forum, he added, has created a platform for continuous collaboration among governments, financiers, and development partners.

    “The message is clear: governments cannot do it alone. What we are working towards is sustained private sector participation in Africa’s agricultural transformation,” he added.

  • NASC launches 2025–2029 strategic plan to modernise Nigeria’s seed sector

    NASC launches 2025–2029 strategic plan to modernise Nigeria’s seed sector

    The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has presented its new Strategic Plan for 2025–2029, a comprehensive framework aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s seed industry through digitalisation, stronger quality control, and long-term financial sustainability.

    At a validation workshop held on Friday in Abuja, NASC Director-General, Fatuhu Muhammed, explained that the strategy is intended to reposition the Council as an innovative, transparent regulator, able to tackle persistent challenges in the seed system while advancing food security.

    “This plan is not starting from scratch; it builds on the progress of our last strategic cycle,” Muhammed said, pointing to milestones such as the passage of the Plant Variety Protection Act and the piloting of third-party seed certification schemes.

    He, however, admitted that recent audits exposed shortcomings in digital integration, sustainable financing, and partnership structures.

    “By reflecting honestly, we identified gaps that must be closed. Our approach now rests on three essentials: a digital-first NASC, uncompromising quality and innovation, and a financially viable seed sector,” he noted.

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    Muhammed reminded participants that the document remains a draft, urging them to provide input to strengthen it further. “Your feedback is crucial. Ask us does this plan go far enough? Is it realistic? How do we translate it into real impact?” he challenged.

    On the centrality of seed quality, the DG stressed: “The seed defines the harvest. Our task is heavy, but the chance to shape Nigeria’s agricultural future is even greater.”

    Representatives of the National Committee for Registration of Crop Varieties also reassured farmers that only varieties proven to be genetically pure, stable, and agronomically sound would be approved for release.

    “If a seed is inherently poor, no environmental factor can make it better. Quality begins with genetic potential,” a committee member stated.

    Similarly, a delegate from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, emphasised that food sovereignty must complement food security.

    “We cannot claim sovereignty if we do not control our seeds. NASC’s strategy offers a pathway to that goal,” he said, pledging IAR’s continued support in providing indigenously developed breeder seeds.

    The workshop brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and development organisations. Sahel Consulting and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) were recognised for their technical and financial contributions to the plan’s development.

    The five-year blueprint is expected to reinforce regulation, inspire farmer confidence, and attract new investment into Nigeria’s seed value chain.

  • 13 years after, Dutch Govt hands over agricbusiness initiative to Nigerian players

    13 years after, Dutch Govt hands over agricbusiness initiative to Nigerian players

    The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Bengt Van Loosdrecht, has transferred the ownership, management and running of an inclusive agribusiness initiatives called 2Scale to Nigerian scholars, farmers and entrepreneurs under the aegis of Institute of Agribusiness Management Nigeria.

    He made the presentation at a ceremony which held at the FCW Milk Bulking Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State.

    The initiative is an incubator and accelerator for inclusive agribusiness of public-private partnerships. A program funded by the Dutch government for the past 13th year was brought to close with a transfer of the knowledge and approach to national actors.

    During the lifespan of the project, smallholders farmers, micro, small, medium enterprises, business champions and also local consumers were empowered to ensure that everyone has access to locally produced foods and process in Nigeria.

    The initiative has attracted over €30 million return on investment from the private sector, with over €17million facilitated for the value chain.

    According to the Ambassador, the programme was handed over to the Nigerian players due to the confidence the Dutch government has in the Nigeria farmers to continue in the running of the scheme.

    He said: “It’s been a fantastic project. It’s been there for 13 years, and it has enabled a lot of farmers to thrive, to scale up their business. It’s very good. The project is not really over, actually, it has been handed over to the Institute of Agribusiness Management Nigeria. 

    “We saw that the Professors and others in the institute can takes responsibility, and he is perfectly able and capable to take forward the project. Because you know why? Something has been built in the minds of the farmers and the people concerned.

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    “They know how to do it. They are experts here. If you have been working with a program for 13 years, people understand how to deal with it. And this is what will happen in the future as well.”

    He said he had no fear about sustainability of the project, saying although funding will no more be coming from the Dutch government, he expects other stakeholders including the government to key into the opportunity the project provides for more inclusivity and benefit.

    “Nigeria is not a poor country. projects are there to fire up something, and when it works and it is sustainable, it will be taken up by the country itself. And that is the notion of sustainability. Funding something forever and ever, that is not sustainable,” he added.

    President, Institute of Agribusiness Management Nigeria, Professor Andi Brisibe said the 13 years the project has been operating in Nigeria has been of tremendous impact to the agribusiness sector.

    He said although the 2Scale initiative is closing down due to policy constraints, the Institute have many seasoned academics, scholars and researchers who can scale up the initiative and drive it to another level.

    Professor Brisibe said: “The 13years that 2Scale has been operating in Nigeria have been wonderful. I say this especially on account of the fact that some of the models that they’ve tried to impact into the Nigerian agribusiness space have really been very helpful. Take, for example, the issue of inclusive agribusiness approach. I mean, the inclusivity there is on account of the fact that it carries everybody along, that even those that are considered at the bottom of the pyramid are taken along.

    “And therefore, it’s my own personal assessment that 2Scale has done very well. And it’s quite sad that because of policy constraints, they had to close. And with the fact that they are closing, they have handed over the mantle of responsibility to the Institute of Agribusiness Management of Nigeria and we hope to go on with it as much as we are capable of handling. 

    “I can tell you this, the institute contains a lot of seasoned professors, researchers, and scientists that will be able to handle all that 2Scale has done. And therefore, I don’t have any fear that the project will continuously be handled, and it will be quite successful.”

  • Northern Elders unveil agenda for regional growth, industrialisation

    Northern Elders unveil agenda for regional growth, industrialisation

    The Northern Elders have unveiled an ambitious agenda for regional growth and industrialisation, signaling a new phase in efforts to transform the economic fortunes of Northern Nigeria.

    The NEF stressed that Northern Nigeria is not “landlocked” but “land-linked,” serving as a gateway to Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, Mali, and the Central African Republic.

    Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, spokesperson of NEF, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, announced the maiden edition of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit, organised in collaboration with the nineteen (19) Northern states and the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC).

    The summit, scheduled for 29th and 30th September 2025, has been in the works for over a year and a half. Noting that it is designed to launch a patriotic, deliberate agenda aimed at strengthening the region’s development efforts and creating new opportunities for Nigerians and global partners.

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    The NEF recalled how, in the 1960s through the early 1980s, Northern Nigeria powered much of the nation’s economy with agriculture, livestock, and solid minerals, while spearheading landmark industrial projects. However, insecurity, underinvestment and other challenges have slowed progress in recent decades.

    Jiddere said: “Our groundnut pyramids reached the skies; our cotton, hides, livestock, and solid minerals supported industries; and our leaders championed bold national infrastructure and industrial projects.

    “Over the years, however, new challenges have emerged, ranging from insecurity to underinvestment, that slowed the pace of progress. This has left us with a paradox: a land blessed with abundance, but a people yet to fully enjoy the rewards of that abundance.

    “This summit is about turning that paradox into opportunity and ensuring that Northern Nigeria steps confidently into a new era of growth. We have identified five key pillars and three supporting enablers as the foundation for Northern Nigeria’s renewal: Land & Agriculture: Vast arable lands across 19 states, capable of feeding Africa.”

    The NEF stressed that the summit is not just for Northern Nigeria but for the entire country, Africa, and international partners who share the vision of inclusive prosperity.

    He added; “This summit is not for Northern Nigeria alone. It is for Nigeria. It is for Africa. It is for all global partners who believe in shared prosperity. When Northern Nigeria rises, Nigeria rises. When Nigeria rises and Africa rises.

    “We, as elders, carry the wisdom of memory and the responsibility of vision. But it is the youth, the generation under 60, and the children yet unborn, who will carry the dreams of tomorrow”.

  • Fed Govt begins relocation of herders to Kawu grazing reserve

    Fed Govt begins relocation of herders to Kawu grazing reserve

    …flags off infrastructural development 

    The federal government has commenced the relocation of herders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the 9,000-hectare Kawu Grazing Reserve in Bwari Area Council as part of efforts to end open grazing in Abuja.

    The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, on Saturday, led officials of his ministry, presidential advisers, and journalists to the reserve, where he inaugurated a solar-powered borehole, marking the start of major infrastructure rollout in the facility.

    Maiha said the reserve already accommodates over 10,000 herders and their families and holds an estimated 30,000 heads of cattle. 

    He listed upcoming projects to include a 15-kilometre access road, additional solar-powered boreholes, a dam and irrigation system, schools, a healthcare centre, security posts, pasture and manure production centres, as well as markets.

    “This grazing reserve is going to come alive,” the minister said. 

    “We are committed to transforming it into an economic hub with opportunities for dairy processing, red meat production, and organic manure manufacturing.”

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    He disclosed that his ministry was collaborating with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Federal Ministries of Water Resources, Power, and Health, as well as the Rural Electrification Agency and the Universal Basic Education Commission, to deliver services in the reserve.

    According to him, the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Project (L-PRES) will also provide veterinary clinics, irrigation, pasture cultivation, and other support facilities.

    Senior Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, revealed that N13 billion was approved in the 2024 budget for livestock development, with additional partnerships secured from international development agencies.

    National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Khalil Mohammed Bello, welcomed the initiative, pledging the readiness of herders to relocate.

    “We are extremely happy to be among the people benefiting from this laudable project. We are ready to relocate to the Kawu grazing reserve and accept it in totality,” Bello said.

    The Kawu reserve is the first of 417 designated grazing reserves across the country that the government plans to transform into “Renewed Hope Livestock Villages” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.