Nigeria secures US$158M to strengthen agriculture in the North
The eight-year initiative will support over three million farmers and boost food production in nine northern states.
NIGERIA – The Nigerian government has signed a financing agreement worth US$158.15 million to strengthen agricultural production and value chains across nine states in northern Nigeria.
The project, called the Value Chain North (VCN) programme, will be co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Nigerian government.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held on May 7 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the programme as a direct response to the country’s urgent need to grow what it eats and produce what it trades.
“It is a declaration of faith in the North – not as a region of deficits, but as a place of abundance,” he said. “This reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to prioritising what matters most – people, productivity, and prosperity.”
Supporting farmers, boosting local economies
The eight-year VCN initiative will focus on wheat, maize, and livestock feed. It will support investments in irrigation, crop processing, post-harvest storage, and digital tools to help farmers access markets and financial services.
Over 3.1 million people are expected to benefit directly, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returning migrants.
The programme will cover Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara states. More than 229 kilometers of rural roads will be built to improve market access for farmers.
The project will also link directly with Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), which the government recently launched to improve food processing and reduce post-harvest losses.
“The VCN answers this call,” said Vice President Shettima. “By making wheat, maize, and animal feed viable for commercial cultivation, and by investing in irrigation, processing, and storage facilities in states like Kebbi and Jigawa, we are not just securing food – we are laying the groundwork for agricultural exports that can rival our oil.”
Targeting Conflict-Affected Regions
While the goals are clear, the challenges in the region remain. Conflict, natural disasters, and insecurity have disrupted agriculture and displaced millions.
According to IFAD, nearly 3.5 million people had been displaced in the region by November 2023, including over 240,000 from Sokoto, Yobe, and Borno who sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
Despite this, IFAD’s Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, remains hopeful. “This programme is designed to transform agribusiness in the north. It focuses on smart farming, better post-harvest handling, financial access, and more jobs – especially for youth and women,” she said.
“We expect to create over 30,000 new jobs and build infrastructure that will benefit entire communities.”
At the signing event, key figures including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari pledged continued support to ensure the programme delivers real change.
As the government prepares for implementation, expectations are high that the VCN programme will help reduce poverty, improve food security, and restore the dignity of farmers across northern Nigeria.
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