Niger State Partners With Egypt’s Arab Contractors To Boost Agricultural Production.
In a bold step towards enhancing food security and reducing Africa’s dependence on imported food, Niger State Governor, Muhammad Bago, has secured a landmark agricultural partnership with Egyptian construction and infrastructure giant, Arab Contractors.
Speaking in Cairo after reaching the agreement, Governor Bago highlighted the alarming rate at which Africa relies on food imports, noting that the continent spends a staggering $55 billion annually on agricultural products such as maize, wheat, rice, and cooking oils. He emphasised the need for African leaders to unlock the vast agricultural potential of their nations to reverse this trend.
“Niger State is uniquely positioned to lead this agricultural transformation,” Bago said, pointing out that the state boasts over 1,850 kilometres of riverfront suitable for irrigation, a youthful population, and an impressive five million hectares of arable land — capable of producing up to 50 million tonnes of food annually.
The new partnership will explore large-scale food production initiatives and modern farming techniques to improve yields and food supply across the region. In a show of strong commitment, the Global Chairman of Arab Contractors, Ahmed Moustafa El Assar, announced plans to visit Niger State next month, alongside officials from the Egyptian Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, to assess opportunities on the ground.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, praised President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural policies, saying the sector has recorded substantial progress under his leadership. He underscored the importance of such international collaborations in strengthening Nigeria’s food systems and economy.
This development comes at a time when global trade tensions are rising. The United States, under President Donald Trump, recently imposed new tariffs on countries around the world, including a 14 per cent duty on Nigerian exports. Governor Bago’s initiative is seen as a strategic move to boost local production, create jobs, and insulate the country from volatile global markets.
As preparations begin for the Egyptian delegation’s visit, the collaboration signals a new era of agricultural innovation and self-reliance for Niger State and potentially for Africa at large.
