Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the state’s agricultural sector by seeking strategic partnerships with international investors.
During a high-level meeting held Tuesday at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the governor led a state delegation to engage top officials from SINOMACH, China CAMC Engineering, YTO Group Corporation, Agra Consortium Ltd, and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADFUND).
A statement says the meeting served as a platform to present Jigawa’s Legacy Agricultural Projects Investment Prospectus, which includes plans to establish an organic fertilizer plant, a tractor assembly plant, and unlock 6,000 hectares of irrigable land in the Hadejia wetlands.
Other initiatives include the creation of an Integrated Halal Products Hub, a commodity exchange system, and enhanced infrastructure for dry-season farming and food systems.
Governor Namadi expressed appreciation to the international partners, highlighting past engagements in Beijing and the state’s readiness to deepen collaborations.
He stressed that 80% of Jigawa’s 2.47 million hectares is arable, supported by over 240 water bodies and a thriving livestock market.
These, he said, position Jigawa as a leading destination for agro-industrial investments.
Since assuming office in 2023, the Namadi administration has made notable progress, including the launch of Jigawa Farm Mechanization Company, investment of ₦900 million in agricultural equipment, and the training of 720 machine operators and 30 technicians, some of whom were trained in China.
He also unveiled plans for a new Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency to coordinate innovation and sustainability across the sector.
In response, SINOMACH Vice Chairman Li Xiaoyu praised Jigawa’s vision, describing it as a model for other Nigerian states.
The meeting concluded with mutual optimism over new investment areas such as renewable energy, irrigation expansion, and the revitalization of the Maigatari Export Processing Zone, as part of a broader agenda for agricultural-led economic growth in Jigawa State.
REL Usman M
