The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to bolster food security in Nigeria through strategic support for farmers, enhanced irrigation systems, and climate resilience initiatives.
At the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed plans to commission 11 new projects in 2025.
These projects include dams, irrigation schemes, and water supply systems in Benue, Jigawa, and Yobe—major agricultural zones with high food production potential.
Utsev said the ministry was implementing the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project in collaboration with 20 states, aimed at modernising dam and irrigation infrastructure and developing a national hydropower masterplan.
The participating states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
He noted that the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), the ministry’s implementing agencies, had supported farmers with more than 154,000 hectares of irrigated land.
“In addition, tractors and harvesters have been distributed to enhance mechanised farming. As part of ongoing reforms, over 4,400 hectares of farmland have been leased to commercial farmers to expand food production,” he said.
Utsev also mentioned that investments in human capital were underway, with the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) recently graduating over 230 postgraduate students in Integrated Water Resources Management.
He said more than 1,300 youths had been trained in technical skills such as pump installation and drilling technology.
According to him, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had ramped up early flood warning measures in response to climate change impacts on farming communities.
“More than 1,200 communities in 30 states have been identified as flood-prone in 2025. In response, the Nigerian National Flood Insurance Programme was launched in April to provide financial protection for vulnerable households and farmers.
We are proactively addressing climate risks through science-based early warning systems and financial safety nets,” he stated.
The minister explained that partial commercialisation of the RBDAs was ongoing to attract private sector investment, reclaim encroached farmlands, and enhance sustainability in agriculture.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support and acknowledged the roles of state governments, development partners, stakeholders, and the media.
“We remain committed to transforming Nigeria’s irrigation landscape, improving access to safe water, creating jobs, and reducing poverty,” he added.
Earlier, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, noted that Nigeria’s inflation slowed to 2.06 per cent in April, down from 2.18 per cent in March, due to falling prices of staple foods like maize flour, rice, and beans.
Idris attributed the development to strategic government efforts in agriculture, transport, and essential services.
“While we are not yet where we want to be, these numbers give us hope. The tough decisions are starting to yield results,” he said.
He cited key investments in infrastructure, water, sanitation, and the creative economy, adding that the Tinubu administration remained focused on restoring Nigeria’s global stature.
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to people-centred policies aimed at ensuring economic stability and urged the media to disseminate positive progress responsibly and patriotically.
Correspondents report that the session was also attended by the Ministers of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and Works, Sen. David Umahi.
(NAN)