The Nigerian Government has pledged its commitment to deepen partnerships with state governments, to unlock the state’s agricultural potential and to accelerate economic development.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known when he received a delegation led by the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Information Minister stressed that development must be taken to the communities where the majority of Nigerians live.
“The people, the population, actually exist in the states, not in Abuja. Strengthening local governments is also part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of taking development closer to Nigerians at the grassroots,” he stressed.
Idris commended the Kebbi State Government for its deliberate efforts to highlight developmental achievements and project a positive narrative for the state.
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“There is no doubt that Governor Nasir Idris is one of the best-performing governors in the country. Having personally observed agricultural operations in the state during a prior visit, the progress achieved stands as proof of the results yielded by effective collaboration between federal and sub-national governments,” he said.
The minister described the state as a major example of what federal-state collaboration can achieve, noting that his personal experience of Kebbi’s agricultural activities had convinced him of the enormous opportunities available in the state, particularly in tomato production and the participation of women in farming.
Tomato farms were as far as your eyes could see. And you can see women dutifully engaging in their activities on the farms. This experience demonstrated the impact that collaboration between government and investors could have on food production.
According to him, the Kebbi experience had become an important example in his communication about the potential of agriculture to transform Nigeria’s economy.
“I’ve used that consistently because I saw it first. It’s not a story that somebody told you,” he said.
The minister specifically praised the involvement of women in Kebbi State’s agricultural sector, noting their contribution to family livelihoods and the local economy.
He emphasised that sustained security in rural areas remains vital to national food security, ensuring farmers can work without fear.
On the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, the minister explained that the economic corridor is designed not only to link regions but also to spark commercial growth.
He disclosed that approximately 63 dams are planned along the route to support large-scale agriculture, power generation, and industrial activity.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to grassroots development, the Minister said that national progress relies heavily on strong ties with state governments, where the majority of citizens reside.
