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Borno: From ashes of insecurity to agric revolution

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Borno: From ashes of insecurity to agric revolution

By Hamza Suleiman

Prior to the Boko Haram insurgency Borno was one of the most agriculturally advanced states in Nigeria with more than two-third of its population engaged in cereal crops, livestock, fishery, and poultry production.

This contributed significantly to Nigeria’s food supply chain, making it a crucial player in feeding the country’s vast population.

However, the insurgency had a devastating impact on agriculture, similar to its effects on the economy and social sectors and residents took refuge in other parts of the country.

The damage was monumental, leading to malnutrition in children and breastfeeding mothers, as well as hunger and starvation among the population, ultimately culminating in a humanitarian crisis in the entire North-East region.

The aftermath of the devastation was estimated to be in the billions of dollars, leaving a significant portion of the population without livelihoods and dependent on food aid from the government and humanitarian organizations.

In 2019, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum assumed office as the elected governor of Borno State, inheriting one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world at the time, with approximately 2.5 million displaced persons.

These individuals, who previously engaged in rain-fed and irrigation activities, cultivating thousands of hectares of arable land across the state’s 20 local government areas, also lost their livelihoods as fishermen and animal breeders.

This significantly reduced the state’s food production capacity to almost zero.
As a result, citizens faced hunger and starvation, and the supply of well-bred animals, dried fish, and other fishery products to markets across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon Republics was severely impacted.

Notably, the Federal Government established the Lake Chad Basin Development Commission (LCBDC).
This was in recognition of Borno’s significant contribution to agriculture. There was also the establishment of Lake Chad Basin Research Institute in Maiduguri, to enhance studies and innovations in various fields of agriculture.

Zulum also built on the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement program initiated by his predecessor, Vice-President Kashim Shettima. This programme prioritised agriculture, which received significant attention.

During the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP), Zulum emphasised the importance of agriculture in Borno’s development.

“Our government has made agriculture a top priority, and we are committed to mobilizing resources to boost its growth.
“To achieve this, we have procured essential agricultural machinery and inputs like tractors, chemicals, and fertilisers.

`This will significantly enhance our farmers’ productivity. Our goal is to support our farmers in every way possible to increase their agricultural output and promote food security.

He said, “We must shift our focus from short-term humanitarian support to medium and long-term sustainable solutions, and that is agriculture”, Zulum said.

RHI-WASP is the initiative of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, designed to encourage women to engage in agricultural activities and contribute to the food sufficiency agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Zulum’s administration has empowered 120 women farmers from the North-East region with N500,000 each, and 100 persons with disabilities from Borno with N100,000 each, to support their agricultural endeavors’’, the document said.
The Borno government recognises the importance of logistics support to farmers hence it has taken to meet some of their challenges.

For instance it procured one million liters of petrol which was distributed at a subsidized rate to farmers across the state and distributed 20,000 bags of fertilisers to them.

The government also provided 1,000 solar-powered water pumps and 5,000 water pump machines to farmers in the three senatorial districts.

Among others, the state government established modern, innovative and climate-smart irrigation schemes at Bokkoiri in Konduga; Kulunnam in Magumeri, Jaffi in Kwaya Kusar, Mafa in Mafa, Bulabulin, Shuwari and Gajibo in Dikwa and Logomane in Ngala LGA, respectively.

Similarly, the Zulum administration is investing hugely in drip irrigation to accelerate cash crop production such as maize, cassava and sesame seeds, even as it has inaugurated a 20-hectare sesame plantation at Koiri pilot drip irrigation scheme.

“Let’s carefully put things in order. Borno State will start exporting sesame and other cash crops in the near future.
“We will subsequently change focus and invest our resources in irrigation farming or, rather, food production.

I assure you that we will provide the political will needed to achieve food sufficiency.

“We need to expand our scope; we should identify bigger lands, we can expand with another 100 hectares each in Borno Central, South and North Senatorial Districts.

“My predecessor has procured about 10,000 hectares of drip irrigation kits. After this year’s rainy season, we hope the state will be able to cultivate at least 1,000 hectares”, Zulum said.

The Zulum administration recorded significant success in enhancing extension and farmers support services as it distributed improved variety seeds, fertilisers, chemical and knapsack sprayers to 3,000 rice farmers at Ngala and Gwoza.

It also provided 250 water pumps, 250 tubewells, assorted seeds, and agrochemicals to 1,000 Dry season farmers in Baga resettled community, while 1,000 tubewells and 1,000 water pumps were distributed to rice growers at Damasak in Mobbar LGA.

Farmers in Tarmuwa-Banki also received 50 units of water pumps with accessories, 50 tubewells, seeds, fertiliser, and chemicals to dry season farmers.’’, among other initiatives.

The efforts of the administration have not gone unnoticed by experts and other stakeholders in the sector.

Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne urged all stakeholders to emulate Zulum in his agriculture sector revolution.

He spoke at the inauguration of projects executed by NALDA in Jere Local Government Area of Borno.
“I want to call on all stakeholders to quickly key into this agricultural revolution of Mr President (Bola Tinubu) by adopting the method of Borno State, the method of unconditional land donation and method of total commitment.

“I thank you, Mr governor, for your support for agriculture, your support for the development of Borno…NALDA will continue to partner Borno because Borno has the potential to develop food production and achieve food security in Nigeria’’, Ikonne said.
A social media influencer, Abudulla Ayofe, has also commended Zulum over his steps to transform the agric sector in Borno.

“Governor Zulum’s administration is turning desert into green fields in a bid to push the modern agriculture revolution in Borno State’’, he said in one of his verified social media posts.

Gaji Ngari, a grain farmer in Dille village in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, said Zulum had not only transformed farming but also the lives of farmers.
“The government has done a lot for us, particularly given our recent history; gradually, we are picking ourselves up’’, he said.

Agric experts say in spite of the achievements, more still needs to be done to position Borno in a position to reach its agric potential.

They say the state government should further explore technology in providing logistics for farmers. They say such tools can be used to predict weather and latest agriculture inputs.

They also call for strengthened security in the state, particularly around farmlands, which are still vulnerable to sporadic security breaches, as well as provide financial security for farmers through soft loans.

Hamza Suleiman is a Senior Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Borno: From ashes of insecurity to agric revolution

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Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle

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February 18, 2026

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Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle

By: Zagazola Makama

Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an armed bandit attack in Gida Soda Village, Katsina State, neutralising two attackers and recovering a motorcycle, security sources said.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 17 when suspected bandits stormed the village. Troops, acting promptly in coordination with local police and Civil Watch Patrol Teams, engaged the attackers in an intense gunfight, forcing the criminals to flee.

During the operation, two of the bandits were neutralised, and a Boxer-brand motorcycle belonging to the group was recovered.

Tragically, one resident, Hassana Muhammad, 30, was reportedly fatally shot during the attack. She was rushed to Dansoda Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

Sources said efforts to track fleeing bandits and secure the area are ongoing.

Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle

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AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market

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30 minutes ago

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February 18, 2026

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AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market

By: Michael Mike

The 2026 edition of the Aquarian Consult’s Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS’26) will focus on boosting trade, investment, and private sector partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean, targeting a combined market valued at $40 trillion across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.

The Chief of Staff of Aquarian Consult Ltd, Serumun Ubwa, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, ahead of the summit scheduled for March 23–28, 2026.

She described AACIS as a strategic platform designed to connect African businesses with Caribbean partners, attract foreign investment, and promote sustainable economic collaboration across key sectors.

Ubwa highlighted that the inaugural AACIS in 2025 achieved landmark outcomes, including the establishment of the first direct flight from Africa to Saint Kitts and Nevis, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in agriculture and cultural exchange, and a $40 million deep-water port agreement. She said these successes set the stage for the 2026 summit, which will expand opportunities for trade and investment.

She revealed that the 2026 summit will introduce two specialized events: the Afri-Caribbean Agriculture and Food Security Summit (March 23–24) and the Afri-Caribbean Health Summit (March 26), running alongside the main Investment Summit from March 25–28.

“By focusing on agriculture and healthcare, we aim to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance food security, open new export markets for African producers, and support policy frameworks that reduce import dependence in the Caribbean,” Ubwa said.

She added that the summit will feature structured Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking sessions, an Investor Deal Room managed by investment promotion agencies, and sector-specific engagements in agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, digital technology, and the creative economy.

Ubwa added that over 2,000 participants are expected, including current and former heads of government, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral institutions, and private sector leaders. She emphasised that AACIS seeks to strengthen South-South cooperation and increase Africa-Caribbean trade, which currently represents less than one per cent of total trade between the regions.

Interested participants are expected to register for the summit at www.aquarianconsult.com/AACIS.

AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market

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Vice President Shettima Urges Stakeholders To Expand Scope Of Support For MSMEs

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5 hours ago

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February 18, 2026

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Vice President Shettima Urges Stakeholders To Expand Scope Of Support For MSMEs

Says govt. agencies, private sector partners must harness Nigeria’s potential in digital space, agriculture

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has implored stakeholders, including financial institutions, government agencies, and the private sector, to expand their scope of support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

Emphasizing their critical role in economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, he urged them to leverage technology to enhance the MSMEs sector, particularly for young Nigerians in the digital world.

Senator Shettima stated this on Tuesday when he received the 2025-2026 MSME report during the Nigerian MSMEs stakeholders meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We have our jobs cut out for us. SMEDAN is doing an awesome job, so also is ITF. Every stakeholder here, from NAFDAC, to CAC, NITDA, Export Promotion Council, and NIPC, is putting in their best, and we are mightily proud of all of you,” he told the stakeholders at the meeting.

Urging government agencies and private sector partners to harness the nation’s potential in the digital space, agriculture, and other key areas that can benefit MSMEs, VP Shettima asked them to take a cue from India, which generated $130 billion in 2025 from business process outsourcing alone, noting that the potentials in that outsourcing space are tremendous.

“So, we need to really harness our potential in the digital space, in agriculture,” he added.

The Vice President thanked the stakeholders for doing a great job in advancing MSMEs in Nigeria, assuring that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do all it can to ensure the growth of small businesses in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended the Vice President, describing the meeting as an overview of what has been done by MSMEs over a period of time.

He noted that all the participants and stakeholders facilitating the success of the MSMEs programme were in attendance to appraise the achievements of the programme, even as he revealed that over 250,000 jobs were created and more are on the way.

The Minister also commended the Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, for bringing all stakeholders in MSMEs in Africa to converge on Abuja to showcase Nigeria and chat the way forward in enhancing the development of the sector on the continent.

Presenting the MSME report to the Vice President, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Adekunle-Johnson, gave a brief rundown of how the Renewed Hope Agenda, under President Tinubu, has repositioned MSMEs as a central pillar of national economic transformation and job creation.

He noted that the core focus over the past year had been on improving access to affordable financing, reducing operational constraints through shared infrastructure, strengthening market linkages, and institutionalising recognition frameworks that promote excellence and competitiveness.

On the MSME space in 2025, he noted that access to funding had been expanded through MSME Clinics, which serve as a bridge between the federal government, state governments, and small businesses, thereby creating market visibility, business formalisation opportunities, and access to instant on-site grants for outstanding businesses at each clinic.

Speaking on job creation, the presidential aide disclosed that in the past year, over 11 shared hubs have been deployed, creating more than 250,000 jobs across the country.

On his office’s roadmap for 2026, he said the focus will be on strengthening coordination with partner agencies and state governments, targeting the de-risking of funds, the National MSME Awards, sustainable job creation programmes, capacity development, and improved access to funding.

In his Goodwill message, the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, commended President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for “setting the blueprint for Small and Medium Enterprises growth in Nigeria.”

He said the shared facilities created by the MSMEs by the office of the Vice President have engaged the people, even in late hours of the day, creating more jobs, just as he noted that “this is the first time the people have been been so fascinated about the policy of government.”

The Managing Directors of Corporate Affairs Commission, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) also outlined how their respective agencies had benefitted thousands of MSMEs in the past year.

Representatives of Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and Wema Bank all committed to partnering with the Office of the Vice President to ensure that MSMEs get the support they need, even as all stakeholders play their respective roles in moving the Nigerian economy forward.

Vice President Shettima Urges Stakeholders To Expand Scope Of Support For MSMEs

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