GOV ALIYU FLAGS OFF FREE DISTRIBUTION OF 157,800 BAGS OF FERTILISER WORTH ₦7.7BN FOR 2026 WET SEASON FARMING

From Muhammad Gazali Garba

The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has flagged off the free distribution of 157,800 bags of assorted fertiliser for the 2026 wet season farming, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation, food security and economic prosperity.

The flag-off ceremony, held in Wamakko Local Government Area, marked the commencement of the distribution of free fertiliser to genuine farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Aliyu described Sokoto as an agrarian state where a large percentage of the population depends on farming and related agricultural activities for their livelihoods. He said agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy and occupies a central position in his administration’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda.

According to the governor, the state government, in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, procured 157,800 bags of assorted NPK and urea fertiliser, equivalent to 263 truckloads, at a total cost of ₦7,706,800,000, for distribution to farmers across the state’s 23 local government areas.

He explained that each local government area had been allocated six truckloads of fertiliser, while the remaining 22 truckloads had been reserved for vulnerable and less-privileged farmers to ensure that the intervention reached more beneficiaries across the state.

Governor Aliyu recalled that upon assuming office, his administration introduced the free distribution of fertiliser to support farmers. However, he said the programme was later abused by middlemen and other unscrupulous individuals who diverted the commodity for personal gain, thereby denying genuine farmers the intended benefits.

He explained that the government subsequently introduced a subsidised sales arrangement to curb the activities of middlemen and strengthen accountability in the distribution process. According to him, with improved monitoring mechanisms now in place to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit, the administration has resumed the free distribution of fertiliser across the state.

The governor further disclosed that the state government had procured 7,800 bags of improved seeds, including millet, hybrid maize, sorghum, cowpea, beans and FARO 44 rice, as well as herbicides and insecticides, all of which would be distributed free of charge to farmers to boost agricultural productivity during the 2026 wet season.

He said the intervention was aimed at increasing crop yields, reducing production costs, strengthening food security and improving the incomes and livelihoods of farmers across Sokoto State.

Speaking on agricultural mechanisation, Governor Aliyu announced that the state government had awarded a contract worth ₦22,125,938,207.05 for the procurement of 250 Massey Ferguson MF375 tractors and their implements. He disclosed that 75 per cent of the contract value had already been paid to facilitate prompt delivery, adding that about 90 per cent of the tractors had already been delivered.

The governor further announced that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had approved an additional 100 Belarus tractors for Sokoto State through the Bank of Agriculture under a special financing arrangement to further boost mechanised farming.

Governor Aliyu appealed to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the free fertiliser, improved seeds, herbicides and insecticides to improve agricultural production and their livelihoods. 

He,however,directed security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute anyone found diverting agricultural inputs meant for genuine farmers, warning that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of undermining its agricultural transformation agenda.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support to Nigeria’s agricultural sector through policies and interventions aimed at achieving food sufficiency and improving the welfare of farmers.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Tukur Alkali, said the Ahmed Aliyu administration had continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to transforming agriculture through the provision of improved farm inputs, fertilisers and agrochemicals.

He disclosed that the government had commenced the rehabilitation of long-abandoned irrigation schemes in the state while new irrigation projects in Wamakko, Bodinga, Silame, Tambuwal, Rabah and Binji Local Government Areas had been captured in the 2026 approved budget with adequate funding.

According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Agriculture had also strengthened collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the World Bank, Action Against Hunger and other development partners to promote agricultural development. 

He added that the Bank of Agriculture had approved a 30 per cent subsidy on farming equipment and expressed readiness to partner with the Sokoto State Government on agricultural financing initiatives.

Alkali also commended Governor Aliyu’s investment in rural road infrastructure, saying it would improve farmers’ access to markets and attract more investment into the agricultural sector.

 He acknowledged the contributions of former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, for his advocacy for increased federal investment in agriculture. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting agricultural development initiatives across the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee on the Sales and Distribution of Fertiliser and Other Essential Commodities, Alhaji Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo, assured farmers that transparent and effective measures had been put in place to ensure that the fertiliser reached genuine beneficiaries across the 23 local government areas.

He said the committee was working closely with relevant ministries, local government councils, security agencies and farmers’ associations to ensure a smooth, transparent and accountable distribution process. He commended Governor Aliyu for his unwavering commitment to agricultural development and the welfare of farmers across the state.

The Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Alhaji Ahmad Umar, commended the governor for his sustained investment in agriculture, describing the fertiliser distribution programme as another demonstration of the administration’s determination to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen food security and stimulate rural economic growth.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, the Baraden Wamakko, Alhaji Ahmed Barade, praised Governor Aliyu for prioritising agriculture and implementing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of farmers.

 He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the free agricultural inputs and prayed to Almighty Allah to bless the 2026 farming season with abundant rainfall, bumper harvests and continued peace, progress and prosperity in Sokoto State and Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by Former Governorvand APC leader,Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,the state deputy governor,Idris Muhammad Gobir,members of the State Executive Council, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, farmers’ associations, agricultural stakeholders, development partners and members of the public.

GOV ALIYU FLAGS OFF FREE DISTRIBUTION OF 157,800 BAGS OF FERTILISER WORTH ₦7.7BN FOR 2026 WET SEASON FARMING

From Muhammad Gazali Garba

The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has flagged off the free distribution of 157,800 bags of assorted fertiliser for the 2026 wet season farming, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation, food security and economic prosperity.

The flag-off ceremony, held in Wamakko Local Government Area, marked the commencement of the distribution of free fertiliser to genuine farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Aliyu described Sokoto as an agrarian state where a large percentage of the population depends on farming and related agricultural activities for their livelihoods. He said agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy and occupies a central position in his administration’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda.

According to the governor, the state government, in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, procured 157,800 bags of assorted NPK and urea fertiliser, equivalent to 263 truckloads, at a total cost of ₦7,706,800,000, for distribution to farmers across the state’s 23 local government areas.

He explained that each local government area had been allocated six truckloads of fertiliser, while the remaining 22 truckloads had been reserved for vulnerable and less-privileged farmers to ensure that the intervention reached more beneficiaries across the state.

Governor Aliyu recalled that upon assuming office, his administration introduced the free distribution of fertiliser to support farmers. However, he said the programme was later abused by middlemen and other unscrupulous individuals who diverted the commodity for personal gain, thereby denying genuine farmers the intended benefits.

He explained that the government subsequently introduced a subsidised sales arrangement to curb the activities of middlemen and strengthen accountability in the distribution process. According to him, with improved monitoring mechanisms now in place to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit, the administration has resumed the free distribution of fertiliser across the state.

The governor further disclosed that the state government had procured 7,800 bags of improved seeds, including millet, hybrid maize, sorghum, cowpea, beans and FARO 44 rice, as well as herbicides and insecticides, all of which would be distributed free of charge to farmers to boost agricultural productivity during the 2026 wet season.

He said the intervention was aimed at increasing crop yields, reducing production costs, strengthening food security and improving the incomes and livelihoods of farmers across Sokoto State.

Speaking on agricultural mechanisation, Governor Aliyu announced that the state government had awarded a contract worth ₦22,125,938,207.05 for the procurement of 250 Massey Ferguson MF375 tractors and their implements. He disclosed that 75 per cent of the contract value had already been paid to facilitate prompt delivery, adding that about 90 per cent of the tractors had already been delivered.

The governor further announced that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had approved an additional 100 Belarus tractors for Sokoto State through the Bank of Agriculture under a special financing arrangement to further boost mechanised farming.

Governor Aliyu appealed to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the free fertiliser, improved seeds, herbicides and insecticides to improve agricultural production and their livelihoods. 

He,however,directed security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute anyone found diverting agricultural inputs meant for genuine farmers, warning that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of undermining its agricultural transformation agenda.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support to Nigeria’s agricultural sector through policies and interventions aimed at achieving food sufficiency and improving the welfare of farmers.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Tukur Alkali, said the Ahmed Aliyu administration had continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to transforming agriculture through the provision of improved farm inputs, fertilisers and agrochemicals.

He disclosed that the government had commenced the rehabilitation of long-abandoned irrigation schemes in the state while new irrigation projects in Wamakko, Bodinga, Silame, Tambuwal, Rabah and Binji Local Government Areas had been captured in the 2026 approved budget with adequate funding.

According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Agriculture had also strengthened collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the World Bank, Action Against Hunger and other development partners to promote agricultural development. 

He added that the Bank of Agriculture had approved a 30 per cent subsidy on farming equipment and expressed readiness to partner with the Sokoto State Government on agricultural financing initiatives.

Alkali also commended Governor Aliyu’s investment in rural road infrastructure, saying it would improve farmers’ access to markets and attract more investment into the agricultural sector.

 He acknowledged the contributions of former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, for his advocacy for increased federal investment in agriculture. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting agricultural development initiatives across the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee on the Sales and Distribution of Fertiliser and Other Essential Commodities, Alhaji Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo, assured farmers that transparent and effective measures had been put in place to ensure that the fertiliser reached genuine beneficiaries across the 23 local government areas.

He said the committee was working closely with relevant ministries, local government councils, security agencies and farmers’ associations to ensure a smooth, transparent and accountable distribution process. He commended Governor Aliyu for his unwavering commitment to agricultural development and the welfare of farmers across the state.

The Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Alhaji Ahmad Umar, commended the governor for his sustained investment in agriculture, describing the fertiliser distribution programme as another demonstration of the administration’s determination to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen food security and stimulate rural economic growth.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, the Baraden Wamakko, Alhaji Ahmed Barade, praised Governor Aliyu for prioritising agriculture and implementing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of farmers.

 He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the free agricultural inputs and prayed to Almighty Allah to bless the 2026 farming season with abundant rainfall, bumper harvests and continued peace, progress and prosperity in Sokoto State and Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by Former Governorvand APC leader,Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,the state deputy governor,Idris Muhammad Gobir,members of the State Executive Council, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, farmers’ associations, agricultural stakeholders, development partners and members of the public.

From Muhammad Gazali Garba

The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has flagged off the free distribution of 157,800 bags of assorted fertiliser for the 2026 wet season farming, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to agricultural transformation, food security and economic prosperity.

The flag-off ceremony, held in Wamakko Local Government Area, marked the commencement of the distribution of free fertiliser to genuine farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Aliyu described Sokoto as an agrarian state where a large percentage of the population depends on farming and related agricultural activities for their livelihoods. He said agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy and occupies a central position in his administration’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda.

According to the governor, the state government, in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, procured 157,800 bags of assorted NPK and urea fertiliser, equivalent to 263 truckloads, at a total cost of ₦7,706,800,000, for distribution to farmers across the state’s 23 local government areas.

He explained that each local government area had been allocated six truckloads of fertiliser, while the remaining 22 truckloads had been reserved for vulnerable and less-privileged farmers to ensure that the intervention reached more beneficiaries across the state.

Governor Aliyu recalled that upon assuming office, his administration introduced the free distribution of fertiliser to support farmers. However, he said the programme was later abused by middlemen and other unscrupulous individuals who diverted the commodity for personal gain, thereby denying genuine farmers the intended benefits.

He explained that the government subsequently introduced a subsidised sales arrangement to curb the activities of middlemen and strengthen accountability in the distribution process. According to him, with improved monitoring mechanisms now in place to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit, the administration has resumed the free distribution of fertiliser across the state.

The governor further disclosed that the state government had procured 7,800 bags of improved seeds, including millet, hybrid maize, sorghum, cowpea, beans and FARO 44 rice, as well as herbicides and insecticides, all of which would be distributed free of charge to farmers to boost agricultural productivity during the 2026 wet season.

He said the intervention was aimed at increasing crop yields, reducing production costs, strengthening food security and improving the incomes and livelihoods of farmers across Sokoto State.

Speaking on agricultural mechanisation, Governor Aliyu announced that the state government had awarded a contract worth ₦22,125,938,207.05 for the procurement of 250 Massey Ferguson MF375 tractors and their implements. He disclosed that 75 per cent of the contract value had already been paid to facilitate prompt delivery, adding that about 90 per cent of the tractors had already been delivered.

The governor further announced that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had approved an additional 100 Belarus tractors for Sokoto State through the Bank of Agriculture under a special financing arrangement to further boost mechanised farming.

Governor Aliyu appealed to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the free fertiliser, improved seeds, herbicides and insecticides to improve agricultural production and their livelihoods. 

He,however,directed security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute anyone found diverting agricultural inputs meant for genuine farmers, warning that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of undermining its agricultural transformation agenda.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support to Nigeria’s agricultural sector through policies and interventions aimed at achieving food sufficiency and improving the welfare of farmers.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Tukur Alkali, said the Ahmed Aliyu administration had continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to transforming agriculture through the provision of improved farm inputs, fertilisers and agrochemicals.

He disclosed that the government had commenced the rehabilitation of long-abandoned irrigation schemes in the state while new irrigation projects in Wamakko, Bodinga, Silame, Tambuwal, Rabah and Binji Local Government Areas had been captured in the 2026 approved budget with adequate funding.

According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Agriculture had also strengthened collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the World Bank, Action Against Hunger and other development partners to promote agricultural development. 

He added that the Bank of Agriculture had approved a 30 per cent subsidy on farming equipment and expressed readiness to partner with the Sokoto State Government on agricultural financing initiatives.

Alkali also commended Governor Aliyu’s investment in rural road infrastructure, saying it would improve farmers’ access to markets and attract more investment into the agricultural sector.

 He acknowledged the contributions of former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, for his advocacy for increased federal investment in agriculture. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting agricultural development initiatives across the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee on the Sales and Distribution of Fertiliser and Other Essential Commodities, Alhaji Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo, assured farmers that transparent and effective measures had been put in place to ensure that the fertiliser reached genuine beneficiaries across the 23 local government areas.

He said the committee was working closely with relevant ministries, local government councils, security agencies and farmers’ associations to ensure a smooth, transparent and accountable distribution process. He commended Governor Aliyu for his unwavering commitment to agricultural development and the welfare of farmers across the state.

The Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Alhaji Ahmad Umar, commended the governor for his sustained investment in agriculture, describing the fertiliser distribution programme as another demonstration of the administration’s determination to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen food security and stimulate rural economic growth.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, the Baraden Wamakko, Alhaji Ahmed Barade, praised Governor Aliyu for prioritising agriculture and implementing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of farmers.

 He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the free agricultural inputs and prayed to Almighty Allah to bless the 2026 farming season with abundant rainfall, bumper harvests and continued peace, progress and prosperity in Sokoto State and Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by Former Governorvand APC leader,Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,the state deputy governor,Idris Muhammad Gobir,members of the State Executive Council, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, farmers’ associations, agricultural stakeholders, development partners and members of the public.