Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, is championing a return to agriculture, describing it as the solution to Nigeria’s challenges of poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
He emphasised the importance of investing heavily in agriculture, citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as a shining example.
“The President has prioritized agriculture, investing in mechanization and empowering smallholder farmers, with a goal to make Nigeria the leading producer of livestock in Africa.
“Kaduna State is already making significant strides in agriculture. The 2025 budget allocates close to 10% of the total budget to the agricultural sector, with initiatives focused on enhancing mechanization, irrigation, and crop protection. The State is also investing in livestock production, recognizing its significance in the local economy,” he said.
Governor Sani was served as the Chief Host at the One-Day Lecture with the themes: ‘Agricultural perspective of Nigeria in the last 64 Years of Independence’, and ‘Securing Nigeria’s Future: Insights on the Renewed Hope Agenda’, which was held at the Arewa House, Kaduna.
According to Governor Sani, “It provided an opportunity for us to carry out diagnostic reviews of our socio-economic and political challenges and chart the pathway to the future.
In his welcome remarks, Governor Sani took a critical look at Nigeria’s national development journey, the neglect of agriculture through time, current economic challenges, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold and comprehensive reforms tagged: the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
He said, “The implementation of the Agenda aimed at resetting Nigeria and putting it irreversibly on the path to growth and development have not been without challenges and pains. The pains are however, temporary. Just a little more patience and perseverance and we shall start reaping the fruits of the reforms. In fact, we are already turning the corner. The economy is fast improving”.
“While lamenting our neglect of the critical agricultural sector since independence, I posited that we must return to agriculture and invest heavily in it; because it holds the key to addressing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
“In fact, President Tinubu is already showing us the way. His administration has prioritised agriculture; and is investing heavily in mechanization and empowerment of small-holder farmers. His investment in agriculture is unequalled in the history of administrations in Nigeria.
He further said: “Mr. President has equally been giving sustained assistance to sub-nationals in respect of funds and agricultural inputs. He recently made history by creating the Ministry of Livestock Development, which holds the potential of making Nigeria the leading producer of livestock in Africa.
According to him, “Agriculture is at the center of Kaduna State’s Development Agenda. In the 2025 Budget, we allocated close to 10% of the total budget to the agricultural sector”.
“Recognising the significance of livestock production in the State’s economy and the importance of peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders, Kaduna State is also implementing measures to support the livestock sub-sector.
“We are finalising arrangements to commence the construction of the Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), a major facility supported by African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), which will provide vital testing, certification, and inspection services for agricultural products.
“The construction will begin soon. This project will not only enhance Kaduna State’s agricultural exports but also position our state as a hub for testing, certification and inspection services for agricultural products in West Africa.
“We have commenced the construction of the Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ), a partnership between the Kaduna State Government and the African development Bank (AfDB).
“The official ground-breaking will be performed in two weeks time. The Special Agricultural Processing Zone will be provided with necessary infrastructure (land, roads, power, and security). It will offer a bigger market for farmers, and serve as a magnet for increased production and greater value-addition for agricultural produce.
“Also, the steps being taken to tackle insecurity and violent crimes especially in our rural areas are yielding results. Our peace initiatives, now referred to as the Kaduna Peace Model has brought peace and stability to conflict-impacted areas of Kaduna State. It is a model that can be replicated by States under siege by bandits”, he stressed.
