FG Signs Financing Pact For $158m Value Chain Programme In Northern Nigeria

*We’re fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to reduce poverty, restore farmers’ dignity, ensure food security – VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

As part of ongoing efforts to revolutionalize the nation’s agriculture sector, the Federal Government on Wednesday signed a financing agreement for the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN).

With the signing of the agreement, the implementation of the $158.15 million VCN project begins immediately to support agriculture value chain development and value addition for farmers in nine states of the northern part of the country.

The initiative is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Government of Nigeria.

The eight-year initiative, validated on March 21, 2024, was conceived following Vice President Kashim Shettima’s request during UNFSS stocktaking in Rome on July 24, 2023, that IFAD should scale-up its portfolio in Nigeria and mobilise additional partners and donors to support the agri-food transformation and food security of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

It is expected to sustainably reduce poverty, enhance nutrition and better resilience of rural and most vulnerable populations in the nine northern states, which include Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoko, Yobe and Zamfara.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the financing agreement for the VCN project at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima described the initiative as a product of critical thinking about the economic reality of the northern region.

According to him, it is a fulfilment of the promise made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce poverty in Nigeria, restore dignity to the nation’s farmers, and ensure food security.

“It is a declaration of faith in the North—not as a region of deficits, but as a place of abundance. It also invites us to play our part in fulfilling the promise to reduce poverty, nourish our people, and restore dignity to farming families across Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe, and Zamfara.

“What has brought us together today is an investment of $158.15 million, co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and other stakeholders. This reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to prioritising what matters most—people, productivity, and prosperity,” VP Shettima declared.

Recalling that the administration recently commenced foundation laying for the construction of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria, the VP said said the VCN programme will feed into the SAPZs, serving as “a steady pipeline of raw materials and ensuring our processors no longer grope for quality inputs.

“This synergy will shift us from exporting raw produce to exporting value-added goods—creating jobs, wealth, and industrial stability,” he added.

Senator Shettima observed that “the recent global trade disruptions and the resurgence of protectionism are loud warnings” to Nigeria to begin to grow what its people eat and produce what they trade.

His words: “The agricultural tariffs and retaliatory postures of global powers like the U.S. and China have rattled commodity chains. For a nation that has long relied on food imports, the message is clear: we must grow what we eat and produce what we trade.

“The VCN answers this call. By making wheat, maize, and animal feed viable for commercial cultivation, and by investing in irrigation, processing, and storage facilities in states like Kebbi and Jigawa, we are not just securing food—we are laying the groundwork for agricultural exports that can rival our oil.

“What makes this programme exceptional is that it targets the underserved: women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees. It recognises that peace and prosperity are twin goals—and that in communities scarred by conflict, agriculture is not just a livelihood; it is rehabilitation.”

Noting that the federal government will deploy digital tools to track every step, “from farmer registration to market access, from input distribution to yield analysis”, the VP assured that “in regions where migration and insecurity are fuelled by joblessness, the VCN provides vehicles for enterprise, income, and dignity.”

Earlier, former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan who spoke on behalf of the National Assembly, commended IFAD, the federal government and other partners for the conception of the programme, describing it as a well-thought-out initiative that will transform the lives and livelihoods of many in the target states and beyond.

He pledged the commitment and support of the National Assembly in the implementation of the various interventions contained in the programme.

On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari said the signing of the financing agreement represents a significant milestone in the efforts to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration

He noted that the participation of the nine states and the presence of other critical stakeholders underscore the commitment of the sub-nationals and the federal government in fostering inclusivity in agricultural development and economic empowerment.

The Minister expressed confidence that the VCN will deliver programmes and projects that will improve agricultural productivity and the overall well-being of small-holder farmers, farmer groups, and women across the region.

In separate remarks, the Governors of Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Jigawa, Alhaji Umar Namadi, and Katsina, Alhaji Dikko Radda, applauded the leadership provided by President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, in the implementation of the VCN programme and other schemes across northern Nigeria.

They pledged their commitment and support in the actualisation of the objectives of the various components of the programme and urged the implementors to review the design and timeline for implementation to enable states to maximize the benefits therein.

In her remarks, the Country Director of IFAD, Mrs Dede Ekoue, said the programme is a 158.15 million dollars project designed to transform agribusiness in nine northern states of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, over a period of 8 years, targeting about 3.1 million household members.

She said interventions targeted under the programme will focus on climate smart agriculture, leveraging innovative technologies; improving post-harvest handling and value chain addition; increase access to business development services for youths and women agri-preneurs; boost access to financial services and scale up access to digital solutions for productivity, among others.

The IFAD Country Director added that expected results from the interventions include, the creation of over 30,000 jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for youths, women and vulnerable groups and the construction of over 229km of roads across the region to enhance access to market, among others.

She applauded the commitment and vision of the President and Vice President, and emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the project to work in unison for the actualisation of set objectives and in the overall interest of the national economy.

The high point of the occasion was the signing of the agreement for the Joint Roadmap for Accelerated Start-up between the federal government and IFAD.

Also present at the meeting were some members of the National Assembly; Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu; the Regional Director of IFAD, Mr Bernard Mwinyel Hien; the deputy governors of Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Yobe and Bauchi States; heads of government agencies and representatives of development partners, among others.

FG Signs Financing Pact For $158m Value Chain Programme In Northern Nigeria
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Zulum goes tough, Inaugurates committee to curb the menace of anti-social vices

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday inaugurated a committee to combat the rising cases of social vices in Maiduguri, the capital city of the state. The committee will address issues such as drug abuse, youth restiveness and all other forms of violence.

The Governor emphasised the urgency of the situation, citing alarming instances that indicate a significant increase in criminal activities linked to social instability. “The increasing cases of criminality in the state, such as thuggery, theft, and armed robbery, among others, are a matter of great concern to the public, not only in Maiduguri Metropolis but also in Borno State in general.”

“Prostitution and gangsterism are increasing daily; It is sad to note that a few days ago some were even killed behind the UMTH; in fact, it has now become the order of the day. Many places in Maiduguri are littered with hoodlums.

“In addition to this, political thuggery must be curtailed; it constitutes a lot of public disturbances. Enough now, we must take decisive action,” Zulum stated.

The committee, which comprises community leaders and law enforcement officials, including military and police, is expected to conduct extensive outreach programmes aimed at educating the public about the dangers of social vices and prosecuting those found wanting according to the law.

The Governor, however, cautioned that if allowed to continue, criminal activities can lead to insurgency, further deteriorating the fragile security situation in Borno.

Speaking on behalf of the committee members, the Chairman, Barrister Hauwa Abubakar, who is the state ‘s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice expressed gratitude to the Governor while assuring that they would work up to expectations.

Financial Inclusion: FG Moves To Fast Track Cash Transfers To 15m Households

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Government has commenced the implementation phase of its economic and financial inclusion strategy aimed at improving access to economic opportunities for Nigerians.

To this end, the government has established an inter-agency task force to address challenges delaying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approved conditional cash transfers to 15 million vulnerable households.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Technical Committee of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, explained that the meeting brought together high-level stakeholders from government agencies, financial institutions, and academia to align on the President’s vision and execution roadmap.

“We are off to a very good start. What has led to the success of what we’ve done so far is alignment and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Financial inclusion is not just about having a bank account—it means access to quality services, credit, and the visibility that digital platforms offer,” he said.

Senator Hadejia cited recent discussions that were had at the World Bank Spring Meetings, noting that “the whole conversation was about India and what it has been able to achieve in lifting its population out of extreme poverty through financial inclusion.”

Earlier, the committee’s Secretary, Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, who also serves as the Technical Advisor to the President on Financial Inclusion, said the meeting also approved PreCEFI’s strategic roadmap and governance structure.

“An inter-agency committee has been established to address delays in the disbursement of conditional cash transfers to 15 million households as mandated by President Tinubu,” Dr. Zauro said..

The inter-agency task force includes the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). Their goal is to unlock bottlenecks and fast-track the distribution of critical financial support to Nigeria’s most vulnerable.

The meeting also endorsed steps to work with state governments in localising data from the EFInA Access to Financial Services survey – a biennial study conducted by the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) in Nigeria.

“We will be presenting the report to the National Economic Council and the Nigerian Governors Forum to ensure data is domesticated and acted upon at the subnational level,” Dr. Zauro said.

Also, Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, explained that digital identity plays a foundational role in achieving inclusion goals.

“The beauty of the NIN is that it bridges the financial divide. It provides access to health, education, and agricultural services and strengthens national data infrastructure,” she said.

On her part, Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion at the CBN, Dr. Aisha A. Isa-Olatinwo, urged the committee to focus on implementable outcomes that serve those at the base of the pyramid, adding that “Financial inclusion is one of the eight reform pillars of the President’s agenda.”

Dean of the Lagos Business School, Professor Olayinka David-West, said the meeting was solution-oriented.

“We identified key challenges impacting the achievement of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and how we would use our collective wisdom to solve the problems,” she said, adding that “economic and financial inclusion is every Nigerian’s problem.”

Other members of the committee present at the meeting included the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Bank of Industry (BOI), Gates Foundation, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU Zaria), the Egbaraden Traditional Council, IQS Africa, and Google.

Financial Inclusion: FG Moves To Fast Track Cash Transfers To 15m Households