Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to transform agriculture into an engine for industrial growth and economic empowerment.
He stated this on Tuesday while receiving the Governor of the Year Award on Agriculture and his investiture as Grand Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Jigawa State Council, during a courtesy visit by the NUJ national leadership led by its president, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, at the Government House, Dutse.
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Governor Namadi described the recognition as a collective honour for the people and government of Jigawa State.
“This award is not for me as an individual but for the entire team that has worked tirelessly to make Jigawa what it is today—including members of your union,” he said.
The governor noted that agriculture contributes about 46 percent to Jigawa’s GDP, with nearly 90 percent of the population depending on it. He said his administration’s mission is to empower smallholder farmers and turn agriculture into a viable industry.
“Our goal is simple—to ensure that someone farming one hectare can expand to three, and that every farmer has access to inputs, credit, and the tools needed to feed their family and supply the market,” he added.
Namadi said the state has modernized its agricultural system through mechanization and digital innovation to enhance efficiency and transparency.
“In our first year, we procured 60 tractors—one per local government—and saw results immediately. We have now acquired 300 tractors, 60 combine harvesters, 150 threshers, 150 boom sprayers, and 150 ploughs, all complete with implements,” he said.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Hamisu Gumel said to manage the machinery, the governor explained that the state established 60 Service Centers—two in each constituency—and created the Jigawa State Mechanization Company Limited to operate them professionally with digital tracking, online booking, and subsidized services for smallholder farmers.
Governor Namadi said Jigawa has become a national leader in crop production due to consistent investment in the sector.
“Jigawa is now ranked No. 1 in wheat, sesame, and hibiscus production, and No. 2 in rice. We expanded rice cultivation from 87,000 to 350,000 hectares, increasing yield from 2.5 to 4 tons per hectare on average, with some farmers producing as high as 8 tons,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the NUJ for the recognition, noting that it would further inspire his administration to achieve more.
“This recognition will motivate us to do even more. And I sincerely thank you for deeming it fit to appoint me as Grand Patron of the NUJ in Jigawa—an honour we deeply cherish,” he said.
Governor Namadi also highlighted the critical role of journalists in governance, describing them as “the voice of the people and a pillar of democracy.”
Earlier, NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahya commended the governor’s commitment to agriculture, education, and infrastructure, describing his approach as focused and result-oriented.
“Any government that invests in these areas is laying a solid foundation for sustainable progress,” Yahya said, adding that the NUJ is considering hosting its next national meeting in Jigawa to showcase the state’s achievements.
The event was attended by members of the NUJ National Executive Council, state council chairmen from the Northwest, commissioners, advisers, media executives, and senior government officials.
