The Niger Development Forum (NDF) has commended Governor Umaru Bago for his agricultural initiatives, describing them as bold steps towards strengthening food security, creating jobs and boosting internally generated revenue in Niger State.
The forum said the initiatives had contributed to efforts to increase Nigeria’s food production capacity amid concerns over a United Nations forecast that 33 million Nigerians could face acute hunger and food insecurity between 2026 and January 2027.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Tijani Ahmed, and Secretary, Matthew Gana, the NDF recalled that Bago, at the beginning of his administration, pledged to commit a substantial portion of the state’s allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to agricultural development.
According to the forum, the investment was aimed at increasing food production, generating employment and expanding the state’s internally generated revenue.
The forum noted that the governor’s decision to prioritise agricultural mechanisation, in line with the Federal Government’s efforts, had led to the purchase and distribution of hundreds of tractors, harvesters and other farming equipment to farmers across the state.
Continuing, the statement said the initiative had strengthened agricultural production and contributed to efforts to prevent the food shortages and hunger projected by United Nations food agencies.
The NDF also highlighted the state government’s partnership with the Republic of Benin for the cultivation of 450,000 hectares of land for cotton production.
It said Bago signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the neighbouring country in October 2025, describing the agreement as a strategic move to increase revenue through cotton exports, meet local industries’ demand for raw materials and strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
However, the forum acknowledged that rising insecurity in the Borgu region had posed significant challenges to the large-scale cultivation initiative.
Despite the setbacks, it commended the governor for investing state resources in agriculture and critical infrastructure, describing his approach as an example of strategic leadership.
The statement also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s food supply outlook, noting that, as of October 2026, the country had not experienced the acute food shortages projected in the November 2024 warning by the UN food agencies.
The forum urged the state government to sustain its agricultural investment, noting that the initiative currently targets the production of 500,000 tonnes of food per farming season.
It expressed confidence that maintaining the programme over the next few years would significantly increase Nigeria’s agricultural output and contribute to long-term food security.
The NDF said sustained investment in mechanised farming and agricultural infrastructure remained critical to boosting productivity, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the country’s economic resilience.
