First Lady Flags Off 2026 Farming Season, Distributes Mechanisation Equipment in Niger State

Published By Ayshatu S Rabo On May 2, 2026

First Lady Flags Off 2026 Farming Season, Distributes Mechanisation Equipment in Niger State

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated the 2026 farming season in Niger State, alongside the distribution of large-scale mechanisation support equipment to farmers across all 25 local government areas of the state.

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

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

Speaking at the event, the First Lady commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his agricultural reforms, describing Niger State as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs.

She noted that the initiative signals a decisive shift from subsistence farming to modern, mechanised, and commercially viable agriculture, stressing that it will enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“This is a bold statement that Nigeria is ready to feed itself. Agriculture remains the most practical path to prosperity, job creation, and sustainability,” she said.

Governor Bago, in his remarks, said the intervention would support farming activities on 120,000 hectares of land and generate about 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, with an estimated yield of 500,000 tonnes of food per farming season.

He added that the state government plans to expand irrigation systems to enable year-round farming and has put in place strategies to ensure efficient off-take of farm produce through the Niger Food Security and Logistics Limited.

The governor also called for sustained federal support to unlock the vast agricultural potential of the state.

Also speaking, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening food security, noting that Niger State is well-positioned to become a national agricultural hub.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised the critical role of agriculture in driving economic growth, while the Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with states to boost food production.

Traditional leaders also commended the intervention, with the Etsu Nupe, represented by the Emir of Agaie, describing it as a significant step toward addressing food insecurity.

The event marks a major milestone in Niger State’s agricultural mechanisation drive and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at ensuring food security and economic growth nationwide.