Oluremi Tinubu flags off 2026 planting season in Niger, distributes farm inputs

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday flagged off the 2026 farming season in Niger State, with the distribution of agricultural tools and inputs to farmers across the state.

Speaking at the event, she said the initiative underscores the country’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security and rural development, noting that it signals a shift from subsistence farming to modern, mechanised and commercially viable agriculture.

“Today’s event is a bold statement that Nigeria is ready to feed herself. It reflects our resolve to empower farmers, boost productivity and strengthen the economy,” she said.

The First Lady linked the programme to the food security agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recalling the declaration of a state of emergency on food security in July 2023. She said ongoing support through fertilisers and other inputs aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency.

She also commended Nigerian farmers, describing them as the backbone of the nation’s survival, and assured them of continued government support to enhance their productivity and livelihoods.

In his remarks, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, said agriculture remains a top priority of his administration. He noted that increased funding to states following the removal of fuel subsidy has enabled greater investment in the sector.

“The removal of fuel subsidy has made more resources available to states, allowing us to expand our agricultural programmes and achieve more,” he said.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, commended the state government’s efforts, expressing optimism that the provision of modern equipment would enhance farmers’ output.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted the potential impact of ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, on agricultural production and produce transportation.

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

The event formed part of broader efforts to boost food production and improve farmers’ access to modern inputs nationwide.