FG targets 600 farmers for N300,000 interest-free loans

The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), in collaboration with the Niger State Government, is targeting 600 farmers in the state for N300,000 interest-free loans each.

The loans are under the Federal Government’s Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

The National Programme Manager of GEEP, Hamza Baba, disclosed this at the flag-off of the FarmerMoni enumeration exercise and training of GEEP desk officers from the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Speaking at the event held in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Baba said the loans were designed to enable small-scale farmers to purchase agricultural inputs, improve productivity and increase output in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Baba explained that the trained desk officers would be responsible for identifying, registering and verifying eligible farmers engaged in crop cultivation, poultry, livestock, fishery, and aquaculture across the state.

According to him, the registration process will involve digital capturing of farmers’ photographs, biometrics, National Identification Numbers (NIN) and farm locations to verify their identities and confirm the authenticity of their farming activities.

Baba said each beneficiary would receive N300,000, repayable within one year, with repayment expected to commence six months after the commencement of farming activities.

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He added that the agency would monitor the utilisation and repayment of the loans in collaboration with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and the local government desk officers to ensure accountability and proper use of the funds.

Also speaking at the event, the Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Ibrahim Inga, described the initiative as a complementary effort by the federal government to support the state government’s poverty reduction programmes.

Inga said the involvement of relevant stakeholders was aimed at ensuring transparency, due diligence and the selection of genuine beneficiaries who would benefit from the intervention.