INTERVIEW – Nigeria’s Niger state aims to be country's food basket: Governor

By Tuba Ongun

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - Niger state aims to be the agricultural powerhouse of Nigeria, providing food for both the nation and beyond, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago told Anadolu in an exclusive interview.

The state, with its fertile land and proximity to the federal capital of Abuja, is taking bold steps under Bago’s leadership to leverage its natural resources and strategic location to boost food production and attract investment.

"My first priority is to position Niger state as the food basket of Nigeria," Bago said.

Stressing that the urgency to increase local food production stems from Nigeria’s growing population and the rising demand for food, he said "Nigeria has been importing food for too long."

With the country facing inflation and currency devaluation, reliance on imported food is becoming unsustainable, he noted, adding: "We have fertile land and water bodies. There’s no reason we should be buying food from outside when we can produce it ourselves."

Pointing to the state’s acquisition of tractors and cutting-edge agricultural technologies, Bago said: "We have invested heavily in mechanization" with an aim of increasing productivity and reducing reliance on manual labor.

Bago also highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Turkish company Direkci Group on Tuesday, which will establish a large-scale poultry farm in Niger state.

"The plan is to produce 500,000 chickens in a chicken house," he said, adding the state is also developing feedlots and slaughter centers for livestock.

He underlined that these initiatives are designed not only to feed Niger state but to generate exports as well.

- Partnership with foreign investors

Highlighting that Niger state’s agricultural ambitions have already attracted international attention, Bago said: "We have a lot of collaboration with companies from Türkiye, China and the US."

He underscored the importance of technology transfer and training in modern agricultural practices and explained that the $2 billion deal signed with Direkci Group, which focuses on the production and off-taking of soybeans, is expected to revolutionize farming in the region.

Under the agreement, Niger state will supply $200 million worth of soybeans annually over the next decade, generating jobs for 1 million people and boosting the incomes of local farmers.

In addition to Turkish investments, Niger state has secured a $678 million investment from China to develop a special agro-industrial processing zone.

Including storage facilities, processing centers, feed mills and factories for agricultural inputs, "the agro-processing zone is key to our long-term vision of industrializing agriculture in Niger state," Bago noted.

"We want to provide food and have industrialization around the agro-value chain. We have enough land and enough opportunities to grow agriculture," he said.

- Incentives for Investors

Highlighting that creating a conducive business environment is a key part of Niger state’s strategy to attract foreign investors, he said: "We provide tax waivers and other incentives for foreign companies," adding that labor costs in the state are highly competitive.

The governor is also streamlining bureaucratic processes, ensuring that companies like Direkci Group can obtain the necessary certifications to operate quickly and efficiently.

"We provide a very enabling environment," Bago noted.

Speaking to Anadolu, Nurullah Direkci, director of Direkci Group, said the partnership represents a significant opportunity for both parties.

"We at Direkci Group are very pleased to bring this strategic partnership with Niger state to life. We will leverage our extensive experience in Africa to ensure the success of this project," Direkci said.

He also praised Governor Bago’s leadership, saying "the vision of the Niger state governor will play a key role in the success of this initiative."

Direkci acknowledged the global importance of the project, adding: "We are fully aware of our responsibility in addressing the global food crisis and are ready to do our part to contribute to its solution."

Apart from agriculture, Governor Bago outlined that his administration’s other top priorities are centered around infrastructure development, providing essential services like clean water and renewable energy.

"We intend to have link roads and red lines to connect ourselves with the federal capital," he said, as the state’s proximity to Abuja offers the potential for rapid growth and increased investment in housing and infrastructure.

To support both agriculture and urbanization, the governor’s plans include improving access to clean drinking water and expanding renewable energy projects.

"We’re looking to provide potable water and renewable energy solutions for our people," he said, noting that these basic services are essential to the state’s long-term development.