Namadi Leads Jigawa Team in High-Level Talks with AGRA at Africa Food Summit, Pushes to Transform State Agriculture

Our correspondent gathered that the Jigawa State Government delegation, led by Governor Malam Umar Namadi, has met with the Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Mr Hailemariam Dessalegn, to explore ways of boosting agricultural productivity and market access in Jigawa State.

The strategic meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Summit in Dakar, Senegal, focused on accelerating agricultural transformation with particular attention to rice and wheat production, improved policies, and stronger institutional frameworks to drive sustainable growth.

Discussions centred on practical measures to enhance competitiveness among farmers, strengthen governance in the agricultural sector, and promote innovation through peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing platforms aimed at empowering smallholder farmers.

Governor Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging global partnerships to advance food security, modernise farming techniques, and foster inclusive economic growth.

“Agriculture remains a central pillar of my administration’s 12-Point Agenda,” he said, stressing that Jigawa would continue to build on its status as Nigeria’s leading producer of wheat, rice, sesame, and hibiscus flower.

He further noted that the state would maximise the potential of its vast arable land and resilient farming communities to unlock greater productivity and food sufficiency.

The Africa Food Systems Summit 2025 is being held in Dakar from 1 to 4 September.

The Jigawa delegation included the Commissioners for Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Directors-General of the Agricultural Transformation Agency, Agricultural Research Institute, and Invest Jigawa, as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Intergovernmental Affairs.