From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a major push to transform agriculture in Northern Nigeria, the Federal Government on Wednesday signed a $158.15 million financing agreement to launch the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN).
The initiative targets nine northern states – Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara- with the goal of enhancing agricultural value chains and boosting farmers’ incomes.
The eight-year project is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Nigerian government. It aims to sustainably reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and increase resilience among rural and vulnerable populations in the region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed the significance of the programme:
“This is a declaration of faith in the North-not as a region of deficits, but as a place of abundance. It invites us to fulfill the promise to reduce poverty, nourish our people, and restore dignity to farming families across the nine states,” he said.
Shettima highlighted the synergy between the VCN and the government’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), noting:
“The VCN programme will feed into the SAPZs, providing a steady pipeline of raw materials and ensuring our processors no longer grope for quality inputs. This will shift us from exporting raw produce to exporting value-added goods-creating jobs, wealth, and industrial stability.”
He also addressed the global trade challenges Nigeria faces, stating:
“The agricultural tariffs and retaliatory postures of global powers like the U.S. and China have rattled commodity chains. For a nation that has long relied on food imports, the message is clear: we must grow what we eat and produce what we trade.”
The programme specifically targets underserved groups including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees from conflict areas, recognizing agriculture as a tool for rehabilitation and peace.
The vice president assured that digital tools will be deployed to track progress from farmer registration to market access, adding:
“In regions where migration and insecurity are fuelled by joblessness, the VCN provides vehicles for enterprise, income, and dignity.”
He added, “We are fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to reduce poverty, restore farmers’ dignity, and ensure food security.”
According to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, representing the National Assembly, praised the initiative as a transformative effort for the region and pledged legislative support.
Agriculture Minister, Abubakar Kyari described the signing as a milestone in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Governors of Borno, Jigawa, and Katsina also expressed strong support, urging implementers to optimize the programme’s design and timeline for maximum impact.
IFAD Country Director Dede Ekoue detailed the programme’s scope:
“The $158.15 million project will transform agribusiness across the nine states over eight years, targeting about 3.1 million household members. It focuses on climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest handling, value addition, business services for youth and women, financial access, and digital productivity solutions.”
She added that the programme is expected to create over 30,000 jobs and construct more than 229 kilometers of roads to improve market access.
The event culminated in the signing of a joint roadmap for accelerated startup between the Federal Government and IFAD, marking the immediate commencement of the project.
The VCN is a strategic step toward fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s vision of prioritizing people, productivity, and prosperity in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.