Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off 2026 Planting Season in Niger, Distributes 250 Tractors to Farmers

Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off 2026 Planting Season in Niger, Distributes 250 Tractors to Farmers

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially flagged off the 2026 planting season in Niger State, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, and rural development.

The event, which also featured the distribution of farming tools and implements to farmers across the state, was described by the First Lady as a significant step toward repositioning Nigeria’s agricultural sector for productivity and sustainability.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tinubu said the initiative signals a deliberate shift from subsistence farming to mechanised and commercially viable agriculture.

“Today’s event is not just the commencement of another farming season; it is a bold statement that Nigeria is ready to feed herself. It reflects our commitment to empowering farmers with the tools needed to increase productivity, improve livelihoods, and strengthen the nation’s economy,” she said.

She linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security in July 2023, noting that the intervention aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency.

The First Lady also paid tribute to Nigerian farmers, describing them as the backbone of the nation.

“You are the men, women, and youth who work tirelessly to ensure food is available for millions of households. Today’s support is to ensure your efforts are recognised and rewarded,” she added.

In his remarks, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising agriculture, describing it as a key pillar of economic growth in the state.

He commended President Tinubu for the removal of fuel subsidy, stating that it has increased financial capacity for sub-national governments to invest more in critical sectors like agriculture.

“The removal of fuel subsidy has made more resources available to states, enabling us to achieve more, particularly in agriculture,” Bago said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, noted that the provision of modern farming tools would significantly boost productivity among farmers.

Similarly, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted the importance of infrastructure in agricultural development, citing the ongoing Sokoto-Badagry Highway project as a major boost to farm produce transportation and irrigation through planned dams.

As part of the intervention, the First Lady handed over 250 tractors with 75-horsepower capacity, 50 combined harvesters, and 150,000 bags of fertilisers for distribution across the 25 local government areas of the state.

The initiative is expected to enhance mechanised farming, improve yields, and support Nigeria’s drive toward food security.