Baba Gana Bukar Awana

28/11/2025

04/11/2025

PRESS RELEASE
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‎Borno State Government Supports Smallholder Farmers with 30 Brand New Threshing Machines
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‎His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State, has approved the immediate deployment of 30 brand new self-propelled threshing machines to support smallholder farmers in the state.
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‎The machines will be made available to farmers at an affordable government-approved rate, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
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‎This initiative underscores Governor Zulum's commitment to boosting the state's agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of farmers.

16/10/2025

World Food Forum 2025: Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening South–South Cooperation for Agrifood Transformation

Rome, Italy, October 15, 2025.

Nigeria has reemphasised its strong commitment to advancing South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a strategic driver for transforming agrifood systems and achieving sustainable development across developing nations. This was stated by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, during the Ministerial Dialogue on SSTC held at the World Food Forum (WFF), commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy.

The session, themed “SSTC as a Catalyst for Agrifood System Transformation: Commitments, Approaches, and Experiences from the Countries,” brought together ministers and high-level representatives from across the Global South to share country experiences and chart a roadmap for future collaboration.

In his intervention, Senator Kyari highlighted that South–South Cooperation has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural development agenda, fostering mutual learning, innovation, and shared growth. He mentioned that Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with FAO and China under the SSTC framework has delivered tangible results through technology transfer, farmer training, aquaculture expansion, and the establishment of Regional Multi-Service Extension Centres across the country .

The Minister outlined Nigeria’s current priorities to deepen SSTC impact, including:
• Institutional Strengthening: integrating SSTC programmes into national agricultural strategies to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s National Agrifood Systems Transformation Agenda.
• Sustainable Financing: establishing flexible funding mechanisms and encouraging blended finance models to scale up South–South partnerships and projects.
• Technology and Knowledge Exchange: promoting collaboration on climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, mechanization, and digital solutions to enhance productivity and resilience.
• Regional Integration: advancing Nigeria’s leadership within ECOWAS to foster sub-regional agricultural trade, research linkages, and policy harmonization.

Senator Kyari further emphasized that effective cooperation must be anchored on mutual respect, national ownership, and measurable outcomes, noting that SSTC remains one of the most practical and cost-effective models for achieving food security and shared prosperity.

“The lessons we continue to draw from our partnerships with China, Brazil, and other developing nations reaffirm that the Global South has the capacity, knowledge, and innovation needed to solve its own challenges, if we work together in solidarity,” he stated.

FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu commended Nigeria and other member countries for their sustained commitment to inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems, stressing that the next phase of SSTC must be backed by stronger institutional frameworks and targeted investment.

The dialogue concluded with ministers and development partners reaffirming their resolve to deepen collaboration through robust policy coordination, expanded funding channels, and systematic knowledge sharing, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable global agrifood system.

15/10/2025

On the sidelines of the 2025 World Food Forum, I had a productive bilateral meeting with Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Our discussions focused on deepening strategic partnerships to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and rural livelihoods across Nigeria.

Key areas of engagement included:
1. Recharge of the Lake Chad Basin – Follow-up on Nigeria’s request for FAO’s technical and financial support to restore agribusiness and livelihoods in the region.

2. Sustainable Irrigation Development – Expanding irrigation systems to strengthen water management and improve year-round food production.

3.Agricultural Mechanization – Collaborating to scale mechanization initiatives that drive productivity and value addition for smallholder farmers.

4. Farmers’ Database Development – Partnering to establish a comprehensive national farmers’ database for informed policy-making and effective programme implementation.

5. Employment Opportunities – Advocating for increased recruitment of qualified Nigerians into FAO Headquarters and global offices, in recognition of our nation’s commitment to food security and agricultural transformation.

I appreciate FAO’s continued commitment to supporting Nigeria’s agricultural priorities and look forward to advancing our shared goals of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development. 🌾🇳🇬

27/09/2025

FG, Niger Foods in Talks to Boost Sugarcane Production and Reduce $1bn Sugar Import Bill

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, has received a delegation from Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Ltd, led by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Sammy Adigun, to discuss large-scale sugarcane production in Nigeria.

At the meeting, Niger Foods presented a plan to cultivate 50,000 hectares of sugarcane with a target output of 2 million tonnes, aligning with the Federal Government’s vision of reducing the nation’s dependence on sugar imports. Last year, the company successfully recorded 60,000 tonnes of sugarcane from just 3 hectares, a feat it believes can be expanded nationwide with adequate support.

Mr. Adigun further revealed that 250,000 hectares of land have been secured in Niger State for sugarcane cultivation, which will require an estimated $3 billion investment in sugar plants. This initiative is expected to provide significant employment opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s agro-industrial value chain.

Currently, Nigeria imports about 2 million tonnes of raw sugar annually, at an import value of $1 billion, with a market value exceeding $2.5 billion. Beyond sugar, the emerging market for ethanol production offers additional opportunities for energy diversification and industrial growth.

The Honourable Minister assured the delegation of the Ministry’s commitment to partnering with credible investors to achieve the national sugar master plan and enhance food security. He emphasized that government will work closely with stakeholders such as the National Sugar Development Council to unlock the full potential of the sugar value chain.

25/09/2025

Zulum Directs 27 LGA Chairmen to Scale Up Immunisation Campaign

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed chairmen of all the 27 Local Government Areas to scale up awareness campaign on Routine Immunisation, In-Between Rounds and Integrated Measles campaign.

He also requested the traditional rulers to continue to sensitize their subjects on the importance of immunisation particularly on polio and other preventable diseases.

The governor gave the directive on Thursday during a strategic meeting and update on Primary Healthcare activities with traditional rulers under the leadership of Shehu of Borno, Chairman Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and development partners at the Government House, Maiduguri.

"I hereby direct all the local government chairmen to step up campaign on Routine Immunisation, In-Between Rounds and other campaigns, must be carried out across the state. Let me also emphasise that attending evening review meetings is compulsory for all LGA Chairmen," Zulum stated.

Governor Zulum expressed commitment of his administration to partner with relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring effective delivery of Routine Immunisation and other services to be rendered by the Primary Healthcare Centers across the state.

"We are aware that the tripartite agreement between Aliko Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Foundation and the state has ended in December 2024. However, I want to assure you that Borno State government will ensure sustainability of all the activities to be carried out," he assured.

"All our counterpart funding have been paid, we are upto date. I want to assure you that we will provide all the needed support and political will to ensure effective and efficient healthcare delivery system to the people.

The governor also assured that adequate security would be provided to ensure Immunisation coverage in hard-to-reach-areas". Borno state government will provide adequate security in order for those in difficult-to-reach areas to have access to the Immunisation".

On the provision of minimum standard package for effective healthcare delivery system, Governor Babagana Zulum remarked that the state has recorded milestone with the sponsorship of 1,400 indigent students to study nursing and midwifery, announcing that 500 would graduate by end of the year.

Executive Secretary State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji briefed the governor and the traditional rulers with regards to the ongoing Immunisation programme and the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund.

According to him, the objective of the initiative is to accelerate the Seattle Declaration made by Governors in 2019, a political commitment to improve PHC services by promoting accountability, drive measurable improvement in health performance and outcome.

Prof. Alhaji called for improved security especially in hard-to-reach-communities, intensify support of resolution of non-compliance of Polio and other Immunizations by traditional leaders, strengthen Evening Review Meetings by LGA Chairmen and to institute appropriate measures to stop misuse of Ready To Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).

"I want to appreciate His Excellency for the prompt payment of counterpart funds, provision of drugs and other consumables at the PHCs, absorption of 859 health workforce, infrastructure among others," Arab said.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur, who is also the Chairman State Taskforce on Immunisation and other Primary Healthcare activities; Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; Shehu of Dikwa and Bama; Emirs of Biu, Askira Uba, Gwoza, Shani and Uba; Secretary to the State Government and Acting Chief of Staff.

Others include, Commissioners for Health, Local Government and Emirate Affairs, as well as Development Partners.