Jigawa, IITA Deepen Collaboration to Drive Agricultural Growth

January 21, 2026

By Editor

The Jigawa State Government is engaging in a sustained collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, as part of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s commitment to transforming agriculture in the state.

This was revealed during a courtesy visit to Governor Malam Umar A Namadi of Jigawa State by a high-level delegation from IITA, led by Deputy Director-General Mr. Abdoulaye Tahirou, who represented the Director-General.

Malam Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated in a press release that the delegation expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception from the Jigawa State Government. His tone was appreciative yet firm, highlighting a shared purpose.

Mr. Tahirou noted that since their arrival in the state, the delegation had engaged in intensive working sessions with Jigawa State officials, resulting in a clear, concise, and implementable agricultural transformation plan tailored to the state’s needs.

“We are fully prepared, as technical partners, to work alongside His Excellency and the people of Jigawa State to implement this plan,” he said. The team comprises experts in crop breeding, nutrition, soil science, seed systems, and key crops grown in the state.

He formally requested the regularization of land that IITA has used for research activities in Jigawa for nearly 25 years, emphasizing that formalizing this arrangement would further strengthen the partnership.

In response, Governor Malam Umar Namadi welcomed the delegation, describing the visit as timely and strategic, especially following the state government’s recent visit to IITA headquarters.

The Governor shared his impression of IITA’s infrastructure and human capacity, acknowledging the institute as a center capable of transforming agriculture not just in Jigawa State, but across Nigeria.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and our smallholder farmers are very important to us. To empower them effectively, we must combine policy direction with expert technical support, which is why this partnership with IITA is crucial,” he emphasized.

He noted that Jigawa State has repositioned farming as a business, aiming to improve yields while reducing production costs, with expert guidance remaining central to this goal.

The Governor assured the delegation of the state’s readiness to implement the agreed work plan and sustain the collaboration, which he described as a win-win initiative that would directly benefit farmers and strengthen food security.

He also invited IITA experts to engage with the state’s research institutions, stating that such collaboration would foster deeper innovation and capacity building within the agricultural sector.