From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The popular saying, “ability to translate government policies into tangible grassroots impact is the hallmark of a strategic leader,” appears apt in situating Senator Saliu Mustapha’s agriculture revolution in Kwara State.
Senator Mustapha, who currently represent Kwara Central Senatorial District, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has positioned himself as a key figure in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the critical sectors of agriculture, food security, economic empowerment, and human capital development.
His Alubarika 1.0 Agricultural and Human Capital Development Empowerment Programme, which empowered over 2,500 constituents, is not just an economic intervention but a political statement—one that consolidates his influence in Kwara politics while aligning with President Tinubu’s nationwide economic reforms. Through this initiative, Mustapha is demonstrating how the agriculture revolution championed by President Tinubu can transform communities, alleviate poverty, and drive national economic growth.
A bold move in political alignment with the presidency
Senator Mustapha’s empowerment initiative, held at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority’s premises in Ilorin, was not an ordinary constituency project. It was a well-calculated political strategy to position himself as Tinubu’s key ally in Kwara Central, reinforcing his relevance within the ruling APC, and strengthening the party’s grassroots presence in the North-Central region. The presence of top political figures, including Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno; and APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, underscores the political significance of the event. Their attendance was not just ceremonial—it was a nod of approval from the Tinubu-led administration, recognising Mustapha as a reliable political ally in the implementation of the government’s economic agenda.
Complementing Tinubu’s agriculture Revolution and Food Security Agenda
At the heart of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a focus on agriculture as a vehicle for economic transformation and food security. The president has continuously emphasised that Nigeria must move away from dependence on food imports and embrace local food production to ensure self-sufficiency. Mustapha’s intervention aligns perfectly with this vision, reinforcing his political clout as a lawmaker actively implementing policies rather than just advocating for them.
His empowerment programme directly supports Tinubu’s agriculture revolution by providing farmers with the tools and resources needed to scale up food production. Among the items distributed were 10,000 bags of fertilizers – crucial for increasing farm yields, 20 tractors – boosting mechanised farming in Kwara Central, 400 irrigation machines – supporting all-year farming and combating drought challenges, 100 live cows for butchers– encouraging livestock farming and dairy production, 250 deep freezers – aiding food preservation for agricultural businesses, 500 grinding machines – supporting small-scale food processing enterprises, and 25 power transformers – improving electricity access for agro-processing industries.
Others include 30 industrial rice milling equipment – enhancing local rice production and reducing dependence on imported rice, 50 industrial baking ovens – empowering local entrepreneurs in food production, and 200 university scholarships – investing in the next generation of agricultural and economic leaders. Traditional weavers were also not left out. With these interventions, Sen. Mustapha is converting Tinubu’s agricultural vision into real solutions, strengthening Nigeria’s food value chain while also ensuring that farmers and agri-preneurs in Kwara Central are equipped for success.
Building Human Capital: From Empowerment to Self-Reliance
Beyond agriculture, human capital development is another core pillar of Tinubu’s economic reform agenda. The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that long-term prosperity cannot be achieved through tokenism and handouts but by equipping people with the skills and knowledge to thrive independently. Hence, the senator’s programme was designed not just for distribution but for long-term self-reliance. Beneficiaries—including farmers, market women, and artisans—were not only given equipment but also trained on how to use them effectively.
A significant highlight was the training of women in solar panel installation and maintenance, a move that challenges traditional gender roles in technology and energy. “I was amazed to see our women in overalls, fully trained and ready to install and repair solar inverters,” Mustapha remarked. This initiative supports Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy, equipping locals with skills that are relevant to the future economy. The programme also featured entrepreneurial training and financial empowerment.
In a strong show of solidarity, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin donated 200 sewing machines to support trained fashion designers, reinforcing the Sen. Mustapha’s commitment to sustainable skill-based empowerment. Senator Tokunbo Abiru from Lagos State, also donated ₦100,000 each to Turaki Women, a group of female beneficiaries under Mustapha’s scheme. This reflects the broader APC strategy of investing in women-led businesses to stimulate economic growth. By moving beyond temporary empowerment to structured skill-building and self-reliance, the beneficiaries can bid farewell to poverty and become employers and contributors to the local economy.
Expanding APC’s Influence in Kwara
Mustapha’s initiative serves as a crucial strategy for APC’s grassroots consolidation in Kwara and the North-Central region. Kwara has historically been a politically competitive state. Initiatives like these serve to strengthen APC’s hold on the electorate, particularly among youths, traders, and rural farmers—demographics that often determine election outcomes. Mustapha’s empowerment scheme ensures APC remains the party of choice in Kwara Central, giving the party a strategic advantage in future elections.
By directly implementing food security initiatives, Mustapha is ensuring that APC’s campaign promises are fulfilled at the grassroots level. This reinforces the party’s credibility, making it easier to campaign on real achievements rather than rhetoric. His proactive governance style also increases his bargaining power within the APC hierarchy. As a Senator who delivers, he gains more influence in party decisions and can attract federal allocations to his constituency.
Another strong pillar in Kwara politics is the traditional institution. The traditional rulers hold immense influence and engagement with Kwara Central traditional, as well as religious institutions. Therefore, his acceptance by the traditional institution, will no doubt further solidifies his political legitimacy. On ground to show support for Senator Mustapha at the event, were the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari (represented by Modibo Sulu Gambari), Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammadu Bashir and other prominent traditional chiefs and community leaders. Their involvement underscores Mustapha’s deep-rooted acceptance within the Kwara Central politics, religious and cultural ecosystem, reinforcing his grassroots support base.
The Road Ahead: Political Ambitions and Future Prospects
With 2027 elections approaching, Mustapha is strategically positioning himself for greater political roles. Whether it is a re-election bid, a ministerial appointment, or a gubernatorial ambition, his performance in implementing Tinubu’s food security and economic empowerment initiatives strengthens his political profile.
His empowerment programme is not just about economic growth—it is about political consolidation. By delivering on Tinubu’s promises and strengthening APC’s influence in Kwara, Senator Mustapha can be said to have positioned himself as a rising force in Nigeria’s political landscape.