Hussaini Ibrahim in Kano
Jigawa State has formalized a partnership with regional agricultural institutions to establish the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency, aimed at transforming the state’s agricultural sector.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa State, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel.
The development was disclosed during a meeting on Monday, where Governor Mallam Umar Namadi hosted Ms. Safia Boly, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI), and Dr. Khalid Bomba, CEO and Managing Director of the Development Sovereign Group.
During the meeting, Ms. Boly praised Governor Namadi for his dedication to agricultural transformation, reaffirming AATI’s commitment to supporting Jigawa’s agricultural agenda.
“Your Excellency, we are not only very pleased to be part of your agricultural journey, but we also want to reiterate our continued support for Jigawa State,” she said. She further highlighted the governor’s participation in the Africa Food Systems Summit in Kigali, where he shared insights on agricultural transformation efforts.
Dr. Khalid Bomba, on his part, expressed excitement about the collaboration, comparing Jigawa’s current agricultural ambitions to Ethiopia’s transformation journey 15 years ago.
“In many ways, Jigawa State mirrors Ethiopia’s journey when we launched our own Agricultural Transformation Agency. We believe Jigawa could serve as an example for Nigeria, its northern states, and Africa as a whole,” he said.
Governor Namadi welcomed the partnership, emphasizing the visit as a continuation of earlier discussions on agricultural reform.
“This meeting serves as a follow-up to our previous engagement in Kigali. AATI’s commitment to assisting African countries in transforming their agricultural systems is evident, and we are confident this partnership will yield significant results,” he stated.
The Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency, which will be implemented over three to four years, is expected to enhance agricultural productivity, foster innovation, and create economic opportunities. The Jigawa State 2025 budget has already allocated funding for the agency’s creation.
The collaboration will leverage expertise from AATI and the Development Sovereign Group to implement practical and sustainable agricultural reforms in the state.
