The Niger Development Forum (NDF) has described ongoing agricultural initiatives in Niger state on the watch of Governor Umaru Bago as bold and inspiring.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Tijani Ahmed and Secretary Matthew Gana, the Forum said the initiatives have helped in boosting national capacity to avert the United Nations’ prediction of catastrophic hunger for 33 million Nigerians from 2026 to January 2027.
It said: “We gladly recall that at the beginning of his administration, Governor Umaru Bago boldly committed to utilizing a substantial part of allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to support meaningful investments in agriculture for food production, job creation, and boosting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“It is pertinent to recall that on 12th November 2024, the UN, through its World Food Programme (WFP), FAO and UNICEF, had warned that more than 33 million Nigerians would face acute hunger and food insecurity between 2026 and January 2027.
“It is equally remarkable to note that Governor Bago’s decision to emulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to mechanize farming in Nigeria has resulted in the purchase and distribution of hundreds of tractors, harvesters and other farming implements to farmers in the state.
“This has consolidated national food security against the threat of acute food shortages and hunger, as forecasted by the United Nations and its food agencies.”
The group also shed some light on efforts by the Bago administration to leverage on agriculture to build on the state’s revenue base.
“In addition, the State Governor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2025 with the government of neighbouring Benin Republic to cultivate 450,000 hectares of land for cotton production. “This singular move will enrich internal revenue through cotton exports, satisfy local industrial demand for raw materials, and accelerate the upward trajectory of Nigeria’s non-oil export index to the benefit of national productivity.
‘Even though the mass cultivation initiative has been heavily challenged by the rising spate of insecurity in the Borgu region of the state, we believe that Governor Umaru Bago deserves commendation for his remarkable leadership and outstanding wisdom in judiciously investing state allocations in strategic farming and critical infrastructure.
“It is laudable to note that three months to the end of 2026, the national food supply outlook remains very stable, without threats of acute food shortages or hunger as predicted by the UN food agencies in November 2024.
“To this end, we express optimism that sustaining Governor Bago’s initiative in food production, currently targeted at 500,000 tons of food per farming season, for the next couple of years would contribute immensely to Nigeria’s agricultural output and guarantee decades of food security in the economy, “the statement added.
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