The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the Niger State Government have signed a N5 billion co-financing agreement to enhance food production.
The agreement was signed by NADF’s Executive Secretary, Muhammed Abu Ibrahim, and Niger State Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago. This partnership aims to strengthen collaboration between NADF and the state government in advancing agricultural development.
Under the agreement, both parties will contribute N2.5 billion each to support a large-scale mixed cropping initiative. The project will focus on cultivating rice and maize on 4,000 hectares of land, benefiting 4,000 smallholder farmers across three local government areas in Niger State. The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) will play a key role in providing technical advisory services, as well as overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of the project. Meanwhile, Niger Foods Company will be responsible for off-taking and ensuring market access for the produce.
The landmark event was attended by the Managing Director of Niger Foods Company, along with other key stakeholders.
Governor Umar Mohammed Bago emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the President’s Food Security Initiative, stressing the importance of achieving food sovereignty. He highlighted the state’s abundant resources—rain, water bodies, and arable land—and the need to utilize them effectively. According to Bago, the initiative, led by Niger Foods, marks a significant step toward enhancing agricultural productivity and food security.
He also emphasized that the N5 billion project, co-funded equally by NADF and the Niger State Government, will not only boost food production but also generate employment opportunities and improve the livelihoods of thousands of residents. He described the initiative as a testament to their shared commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in food production and securing a prosperous future for both Niger State and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, NADF’s Executive Secretary, Muhammed Abu Ibrahim, hailed the agreement as a “historic” milestone in the fund’s efforts to drive agricultural development and enhance food security.
NADF Executive Secretary, Muhammed Abu Ibrahim, described the event as a historic milestone in advancing agriculture through joint funding of large-scale farming. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with NADF’s mandate to enhance food security and benefit the people.
“We are excited to witness the first agriculture financing agreement with Niger State and Niger Foods Limited. This initiative aims to produce over 20,000 tonnes of food, impact at least 40,000 lives, and create employment and wealth for smallholder farmers and other groups. It is a crucial step in fulfilling the Renewed Hope Agenda of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.
It is worth noting that NADF and the Niger State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2024. This laid the groundwork for the current funding agreement between NADF, Niger Foods, and the Niger State Government—an initiative poised to drive transformative growth, ensuring food security and self-sufficiency in Nigeria.
