First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off 2026 Farming Season, Distributes Mechanization Support to Niger State Farmers
By Yahaya Zakka Minna
The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, officially launched the 2026 farming season and began distributing mechanization support equipment to farmers across all 25 local government areas of Niger State.
The event, attended by numerous dignitaries including ministers, the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), members of the State Executive Council, and agricultural stakeholders, took place at Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna.
The provided equipment included 250 tractors, 50 combine harvesters, 150,000 fertilizer bags, 1,500 planters, along with plows, boom sprayers, and harrows.
Sen. Tinubu praised Niger State’s farming efforts, highlighting its rise as a leading agricultural hub in Nigeria. She emphasized that under the leadership of the farmer-governor, the state exemplifies how agriculture can be a viable route to prosperity, job creation, and sustainability.
The First Lady stressed that the event represents Nigeria’s readiness to achieve food self-sufficiency by shifting from subsistence farming to modern, mechanized, and commercially-driven agriculture. She affirmed that this support would empower farmers, increase productivity, and positively impact the nation’s GDP.
She also reiterated that the initiative aligns with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security and affordability. Congratulating the farmers, she urged them to effectively utilize the equipment and to approach the season with renewed vigor and modern practices.
Farmer-Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago noted that his administration’s investment aims to support farming on 120,000 hectares across the state, create about 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, and achieve an estimated yield of 500,000 tons of food per season during both the wet and dry seasons.
He expressed confidence that the introduction of agricultural tools would improve the entire supply chain beyond state borders. Since adopting mechanization, significant progress has been made, reaffirming agriculture as a top priority with ambitions to make the state a major food supplier for Nigeria.
The governor announced plans to expand irrigation facilities for multi-season production annually and to develop strategies for marketing farm outputs. He encouraged farmers and stakeholders to work with Niger Food Security and Logistics Limited, a state-owned enterprise, to meet target goals.
He called on the First Lady to explore and support the state’s agricultural potential with additional investments for national benefit.
Supporting the initiative, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda expressed optimism that Niger State will become a key player in food security, especially with the completion of the Sokoto-Badagry coastal superhighway.
Additionally, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris Malagi highlighted agriculture’s critical role in Nigeria’s economy and the federal government’s efforts to sustain sector growth. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasized federal collaboration to increase domestic food production, noting Niger State’s leadership with Nigeria’s largest arable land.
Niger Food Security Systems and Logistics Chairman, Mr. Sammy Adigun, described the state’s rich natural resources and the partnership with the government to expand mechanized farming.
Agricultural Commissioner Alh. Isah Sidi Rijau reaffirmed that the intervention aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s vision for food security, pledging ongoing federal-state collaboration.
Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, described the event as a major milestone in modernizing agricultural practices to boost productivity and empower farmers.
Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, represented by Emir Yusuf Nuhu of Agaie, praised the intervention, emphasizing its potential to fight food insecurity.
