Gombe Sets Up Multi-Stakeholder Committee to Oversee 2026 Fertiliser Distribution

The approval was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, who said the committee would oversee the distribution process to ensure that subsidised fertiliser reaches genuine farmers in all parts of the state.

He said the initiative is part of the state government’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity, preventing diversion of farm inputs and strengthening food security through efficient implementation of its agricultural support programme.

According to the statement, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security will chair the committee, while members include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government; the Special Adviser on Agriculture; the Chairman of the Gombe State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture; and the Director of Agriculture.

To reinforce transparency and public participation, the committee also includes three representatives of civil society organisations—Mr Ibrahim Yusuf 3000, Professor Tahir Inuwa and Reverend Chris Godobe.

Other members are representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe State chapter, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and a representative of Persons with Disabilities.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, will serve as Secretary of the committee.

Professor Njodi said all appointments take effect from 27 July 2026.

The committee is expected to monitor the distribution of fertiliser across the state’s 11 local government areas, ensure compliance with government guidelines and promote fairness in the allocation process.

The establishment of the committee reflects the Inuwa Yahaya administration’s continued emphasis on transparency in the implementation of agricultural programmes. It also aligns with the government’s broader strategy of supporting farmers with timely access to farm inputs to boost crop yields, improve rural livelihoods and enhance food security.

Agriculture remains one of the key pillars of Gombe State’s economic development agenda, with the government in recent years expanding access to improved seeds, mechanisation services and subsidised fertiliser as part of efforts to increase food production and stimulate economic growth.

Gombe’s Agricultural Drive Earns Inuwa Yahaya Top SAA Honour

By Jamila Muhammad

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has been recognised with a Special Award by the Sasakawa Africa Association for his administration’s strong commitment to agricultural development, food security and rural empowerment.

The honour was presented at the 2026 SAA Nigeria Annual Stakeholders’ Workshop held in Abuja, an event that drew key federal officials, development partners, diplomats and state representatives to deliberate on strengthening Nigeria’s food systems and building agricultural resilience.

The workshop, themed “SAA @ 40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale”, also marked four decades of the organisation’s interventions across Africa.

The organisers said the award reflects Gombe State’s consistent partnership with SAA and its results-driven approach to transforming agriculture. Over the years, the collaboration has supported smallholder farmers through improved extension services, climate-smart practices, enhanced productivity and better rural livelihoods.

Working with support from The Nippon Foundation, the state government has implemented several farmer-focused initiatives targeting food security, nutrition and inclusive agricultural growth, especially for women, youth and vulnerable farmers.

SAA Nigeria Country Director Dr Godwin Atser said the recognition was based on tangible impact and leadership.

According to him, the award highlights how purposeful governance and sustained investment can drive meaningful change in the agricultural sector. He noted that Gombe’s commitment to farmer-centred programmes demonstrates what is possible when political will aligns with practical action.

Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, Director of Agriculture in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr Ibrahim Sajo, expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to strengthen partnerships that directly benefit farmers.

He said the honour validates the state government’s deliberate focus on agriculture as a key pathway to economic growth, poverty reduction and long-term sustainability.

The partnership between Gombe State and SAA has delivered a range of interventions, including farmer learning platforms, community savings and investment schemes, private extension services and community-based seed multiplication programmes.

These initiatives have improved farmers’ access to modern techniques, quality inputs and markets, while strengthening local institutions and promoting collaboration among stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

With these outcomes, stakeholders say Gombe’s model continues to stand out as a strong example of how strategic partnerships can drive agricultural transformation and rural prosperity in Nigeria.

NAPRI Targets 25,000 Chicks in 2025/2026 Hatching Drive

By Musa Garba, Kaduna

The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has launched its 2025/2026 annual chick production programme, setting its sights on producing about 25,000 chicks to strengthen poultry breeding and support Nigeria’s livestock sector.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Zaria by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwalu Umar, who said the exercise officially commenced on March 31 and has already yielded over 3,000 chicks in its opening phase.

He explained that the newly hatched birds consist of Shikabrown grandparent stock and broiler foundation stock, which will largely serve as replacement birds for the institute’s breeding population.

According to him, the institute’s new production goal represents a significant jump from the 17,000 chicks recorded in the last hatching cycle, underscoring NAPRI’s effort to scale up output and respond to increasing demand in the poultry industry.

Umar further stated that the programme is aimed at strengthening hatchery operations nationwide through the provision of improved parent stock layers as well as Shikabrown pullet commercial layers, which are expected to benefit both commercial poultry operators and small-scale farmers.

During an inspection visit to the poultry brooding unit in Shika, Zaria, the Acting Executive Director of NAPRI, Prof. Muhammad-Rabiu Hassan, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, describing the exercise as smooth and encouraging.

He said the institute remained on course to achieve its target and praised the support received from the Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha, and the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, for their roles in advancing the programme.

The annual hatching exercise is regarded as one of NAPRI’s key contributions to poultry improvement in Nigeria, especially in the development and supply of quality breeding stock to farmers and hatcheries across the country.