The Nigerian government has approved the establishment of agricultural mechanisation service centres across six geopolitical zones of the Federation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Tinubu, at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
The Minister said the centres would provide mechanised farming support and enhance year-round food production across rural communities.
Idris explained that “the initiative is a key component of Nigeria’s broader agricultural reform agenda, designed to reduce manual labour, improve crop yields, and strengthen food security nationwide.
“This indeed will help to support and boost agricultural mechanization that will in turn also improve all year round farming across communities in Nigeria.
“There is also an approval by the Federal Executive Council granted to the Ministry of Digital Communication and Digital Economy on the deployment of towers to places that are currently underserved. Under that program about 4,000 will be erected in underserved communities.”
He said that “FEC directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to meet quarterly with the Ministry of Finance, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Economic Management Team (EMT) to ensure strict prioritisation and monitoring of capital projects.”
The Minister further revealed that the Federal Executive Council approved the rollout of 4,000 telecommunications towers to underserved communities nationwide under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
He noted that the initiative would expand rural connectivity, stimulate local commerce, and strengthen security surveillance in areas that presently lack adequate network coverage.
“With millions of Nigerians still underserved digitally, the erection of 4,000 new towers will be a major step toward bridging the communication gap and supporting economic activity in rural communities,” Idris said.
The Ministers reaffirmed that all decisions align with President Tinubu’s goal of strengthening social welfare, promoting inclusive development and accelerating economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mercy Chukwudiebere