Ministry of Information & Strategy

16/09/2025

POLICY BRIEF

REVIVING THE NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY (NCAT) MINI CAMPUS, MINNA BY
Ministry of Information & Strategy , NIGER STATE

BACKGROUND

The aviation sector plays a critical role in driving economic diversification, technical education, and agricultural value chain development.

Niger State hosts the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, which has the potential to serve as a hub for aviation training and agro-aviation services.

However, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) mini campus at the airport has remained inactive, limiting opportunities for skills development, employment generation, and aviation-driven growth in the state.

GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS

His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has pledged a ₦5 billion seed investment for the construction of classrooms and hostels to facilitate the reactivation of the NCAT Mini Campus in Minna. This commitment was made during a working visit by the NCAT management team to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport.

THE INITIATIVE AIMS TO:

Provide world-class aviation training facilities within Niger State.

Reduce the high cost of sending students abroad for aviation-related courses.

Strengthen the airport’s role as a hub for aviation and agriculture in Nigeria.

STAKEHOLDERS PERSPECTIVES

Niger State Government: Prioritising aviation and agricultural development as key growth sectors under the “Farmer Governor’s” NEW NIGER.

Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria: Rector Dr. Danjuma Adamu Ismail commended the government’s effort in remodelling the Minna airport to global standards and reaffirmed NCAT’s commitment to reviving its mini campus in Niger State.

NCAT Technical Schools: The College operates six specialised schools in areas including Flight Training, Air Traffic Control, Aeronautical Telecommunications, Airport Emergency Training, and Aviation Management. An expertise that will benefit Niger State directly through the mini campus.

EXPECTED IMPACT

1. Human Capital Development: Training of aviation professionals within Niger State to meet national and international standards.

2. Cost Efficiency: Reduced foreign exchange pressure by limiting the need for overseas training.

3. Economic Growth: Establishment of aviation-linked industries, job creation, and expanded agro-aviation services.

4. Institutional Strengthening: Revitalised partnership between Niger State and NCAT for sustainable aviation education.

5. Infrastructure Development: Upgraded classrooms, hostels, and ancillary facilities at the airport.

NEXT STEPS

Immediate disbursement of the pledged ₦5 billion seed fund for campus reactivation.

Joint technical planning committee between Niger State Government and NCAT to design and oversee the construction of training and residential facilities.

Capacity-building programmes and mentorship to ensure local students benefit from specialised training.

Integration of agro-aviation services into the state’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Establishment of a monitoring framework by the Ministry of Information and Strategy to track project implementation and communicate progress to the public.

CONCLUSION

The revival of the NCAT Mini Campus in Minna aligns with Niger State’s strategic vision of becoming a centre of excellence in aviation and agriculture. With strong government commitment, institutional collaboration, and sustainable investment, the project will not only transform aviation education but also unlock new frontiers in economic growth and human capacity development.

16/09/2025

FARMER GOVERNOR UMARU BAGO ORDERS MANDATORY REGISTRATION OF SCRAP DEALERS TO SANITISE THE TRADE AND CURB VANDALISM IN NIGER STATE.

Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has mandated all members of the Scrap and Waste Dealers across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state to register with the state government through the office of his coordinator on scrap.

The farmer governor gave the directive during a meeting with the leaders of the scrap and waste dealers association, Niger State chapter, at the Government House, Minna.

The meeting was a follow-up to his last meeting with the group to find a lasting solution to the persistent vandalisation of structures and theft of public and private property across the state.

The farmer governor said the template for the registration will require members to provide their residential and business addresses, Bank Verification Number (BVN), and National Identity Number (NIN) to ensure effective monitoring.

He said the state government will support them with biometric devices that will help in the registration process, maintaining that the registration is necessary to provide them with a license if they must continue to operate in the state.

The farmer governor also disclosed that anybody less than 18 years old is prohibited from picking scraps in the state, adding that anyone found with an item belonging to the public or private will be dealt with decisively.

He said the last round of the meeting will be held on Thursday this week with the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Usman Abubakar, where he will inaugurate the elected chairmen of the scrap and waste dealers across the 25 local government areas of the state.

The farmer governor said the chairmen will be working directly with his coordinator on scrap, Abdusallam Sa'ad, with the view of halting the rising cases of vandalisation of public and private infrastructure.

The Coordinator to the Governor on Scraps, Abdulsalam Sa'ad, described farmer Governor Umaru Bago as a remarkable leader and the only governor that has shown great support to scrap dealers in the history of Niger State, appealing to the scrap and waste dealers to always be law-abiding.

He explained that the registration of scrap dealers in the state as directed by the state governor will help in sanitizing the members and the business, revealing that his office will provide the forms while the registration fees will be paid into a government account.

The Chairman of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Employers, Niger State Chapter, Muhammad Ahmad Ali, read out the rules and regulations of the Association, which include screening of all existing and intending members; members must provide a guarantor and visible means of identification; and strict punishment for members involved in stealing or buying stolen items, among others.

The meeting was interactive, as suggestions were made on how to fish out bad eggs from the genuine scrap dealers in the state.

Bologi Ibrahim
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State
16/9/2025.

16/09/2025

Ministry of Information & Strategy

14/09/2025

POLICY BRIEF

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND STRATEGY, NIGER STATE

Establishment of Niger State Cooperative Agricultural Bank to Expand Farmers’ Access to Soft Loans

BACKGROUND

Agriculture remains the backbone of Niger State’s economy, providing livelihoods for the majority of citizens. However, smallholder farmers continue to face significant barriers to finance due to high interest rates and cumbersome loan procedures imposed by commercial banks.

In response, the administration of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, is implementing bold measures under its agricultural revolution agenda to enhance productivity, create jobs, and strengthen food security.

POLICY INITIATIVE

The Niger State Government will establish a State Cooperative Agricultural Bank, structured as a microfinance institution dedicated to agricultural financing.

The bank will provide soft loans directly to agricultural cooperatives, eliminating barriers that smallholder farmers face in accessing credit.

The State Government will inject ₦2 billion as seed capital for the bank’s take-off.

Agricultural cooperatives will be encouraged to open accounts to access affordable financing.

Partnerships will be pursued with federal government agencies, development partners, and private sector actors to strengthen the sustainability and reach of the initiative.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

1. Ease Access to Finance: Provide smallholder farmers and cooperatives with low-interest credit.

2. Boost Agricultural Productivity: Enable year-round farming through reliable access to inputs and capital.

3. Create Jobs and Wealth: Expand agribusiness opportunities and raise the financial status of rural households.

4. Promote Financial Inclusion: Encourage cooperative-based banking tailored to rural communities.

COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMMES

Pilot Scheme for Women in Agriculture (2026):
The State Government will launch a programme targeting 2 million women farmers. Beneficiaries will receive livestock (goats, sheep, birds), crop seedlings, agricultural inputs, and extension services.

This initiative is designed to strengthen women’s participation in agriculture, improve household food security, and increase income levels.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Increased access to affordable credit for smallholder farmers.

Higher agricultural yields and expanded year-round farming.

Job creation and poverty reduction across rural communities.

Enhanced empowerment of women in agriculture.

Stronger agricultural value chains to support Niger State’s food security agenda.

CONCLUSION

The establishment of the Niger State Cooperative Agricultural Bank reflects the administration’s commitment to placing agriculture at the center of development policy. This initiative is a cornerstone of Governor Bago’s agricultural revolution strategy, designed to empower farmers, transform rural livelihoods, and build a more prosperous Niger State.

11/09/2025

Ministry of Information & Strategy NEWS FLASH

Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board Sets ₦8.5 Million Deposit for 2026/1447 Hajj Fare

The Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that intending pilgrims for the 2026/1447 Hajj exercise are required to pay a minimum deposit of ₦8.5 million, in line with the directive of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

10/09/2025

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE UPDATE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITS ONGOING RECRUITMENT EXERCISE

1.The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to inform the general public on the progress of its ongoing recruitment exercise, which commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, 27th December 2024. In line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.

2.The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise. After a rigorous documentary scrutiny, 286,697 candidates were invited to proceed to the next phase. The second stage of the exercise, scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025, will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), reflecting the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.

3.Candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access. The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a we**am and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled. A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition.

4.The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Accordingly, candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test's duration, as excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system.
In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.

5.To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT. This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application. In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination. Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise. This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

6.The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent. Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels, the details of which will be conveyed in due course. Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and to rely solely on verified official platforms of the Service for authentic updates, as the NCS will neither request any form of payment nor conduct recruitment activities on social media platforms.

ABDULLAHI MAIWADA PhD, mnipr, mniia
Assistant Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
for Comptroller-General of Customs
10 September 2025

10/09/2025

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT!

The Niger State government is inviting all leaders of scrap and waste dealer employers across the 25 local government areas of Niger State to a crucial meeting to review their operational guidelines with a view to addressing the rising cases of vandalism and theft of public and private property.
Key government officials and heads of Security agencies in the state are also to be present in the meeting.
Date, Tuesday the 16th of September, 2025
Time, ten o'clock in the morning
Venue, Council Chamber of Government House Minna.

Signed
Bologi Ibrahim
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger state

10/09/2025

Steadily making

09/09/2025

COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY BOWS OUT, URGES SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR'S VISION.

BY YUNUSA ABUGI

The atmosphere at the Ministry of Information and Strategy was filled with warmth and mixed emotions as management and staff gathered to bid farewell to the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hajiya Binta Mamman whose tenure officially came to an end following the dissolution of the State Executive Council last week.

At a brief but heartfelt handover ceremony held in the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Baba Uthman Agaie, directors and staff members poured encomiums on the outgoing Commissioner, describing her as a leader who combined sincerity with humility and carried everyone along in the course of her stewardship.

Speaker after speaker commended her exemplary leadership style, noting that her open-door policy and ability to inspire teamwork left an indelible mark on the Ministry. “She was not only a Commissioner but a mentor, a motivator, and a friend to all,” the director press, Halima Bawa remarked.

In her valedictory address, the outgoing Commissioner, Hon Binta Mamman expressed deep gratitude to the Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago for giving her the opportunity to serve in his cabinet. She said the trust and confidence reposed in her was a rare privilege, adding that working under the Governor’s leadership had been a rewarding experience.

“I remain eternally grateful to His Excellency for giving me the platform to contribute to the progress of our dear State. The Governor has set the State on the path of sustainable development, and I urge all civil servants and indeed the good people of the State to continue to support his vision and policies so that the transformation agenda of New Niger can be sustained,” she said.

The Commissioner also thanked the Permanent Secretary, directors, and staff of the Ministry for their unflinching support throughout her tenure, describing them as the real pillars behind the successes recorded.

The ceremony, though simple, was marked by warmth and camaraderie as staff shared fond memories of her leadership and wished her success in her future endeavours.

As the gathering came to a close, the outgoing Commissioner posed with staff members for pictures before walking out of the Ministry to a round of applause and heartfelt goodbyes, leaving behind a legacy of sincerity, inclusiveness, and service.
END.

23/07/2022

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VACANT ADMISSION SPACES IN 39 UNITY SCHOOLS AS NIGERIAN GOVT RELEASES ADMITTED CANDIDATES ’ LIST: The ministry said admission processes cont...