Lawmaker Advocates Kuwaiti Partnership to Boost Education, Agriculture in Niger State

A lawmaker in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, representing Bida/Gbako/Katcho constituency in Niger State, Mr. Saidu Abdullahi has proposed a partnership with Kuwait to enhance agriculture and educational development in the North Central region.

He made the proposal during a visit to the Kuwaiti Embassy, in Abuja .

Mr. Abdullahi emphasised that cultivating two hundred and fifty hectares of sugar cane could generate up to one billion dollars in revenue for Niger State, unlocking substantial economic growth.

He noted that Niger State spans seventy six square kilometers, an area larger than many countries, with over one million hectares of arable land suitable for large-scale agriculture.

“Our people are agrarian. We have vast potential for agricultural productivity,” he stated. Citing Brazil’s $50 billion revenue from sugar cane—generated through sugar production, ethanol, and biogas—Abdullahi stressed the opportunities for Niger State in similar ventures. “We are very interested in investment in the agricultural sector,” he said.

In addition to agriculture, Abdullahi raised the urgent need for educational support, pointing out that over six hundred thousand children are currently out of school in Niger State.

He appealed for educational grants and partnerships to address these challenges and improve the state’s Human Development Index (HDI).

Referring to Kuwait’s past support, such as funding for Sodoma Memorial College, Abdullahi expressed hope for continued assistance, potentially through scholarships for talented youth needing support to realize their potential.

Abdullahi also invited Kuwaiti officials to experience Niger’s cultural heritage, including an annual horse procession, with the aim of fostering mutual understanding and encouraging tourism and investment.

Collaboration

He also suggested collaboration with Kuwaiti Islamic charities to support educational and spiritual centers across Niger State’s largely Muslim communities.

Ambassador Salim KH. Almuzayen of the Kuwaiti Embassy praised the longstanding diplomatic ties between Kuwait and Nigeria.

He also acknowledged the significance of Abdullahi’s visit.

“You are exemplifying ‘people-to-people diplomacy,’ and it is an honor to learn more about the people of Nigeria,” he stated.

He expressed displeasure over the high number of out-of-school children as a critical issue.

Educatuonal Initiatives

He pledged Kuwait’s commitment to educational initiatives through projects such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Development and a UNICEF program in Kaduna, which reaches two hundred thousand children.

He assured Abdullahi that he would communicate the proposal to Kuwaiti authorities for further recommendations, particularly regarding educational support.

Confidence Okwuchi