Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago of Niger State has secured the approval of the State House of Assembly for a N20.4 billion loan facility aimed at developing a large-scale irrigated farming scheme to boost food production in the state.
The financing package, valued at $14.45 million under the Saudi EXIM Line of Finance, is expected to support the operations of the Niger Food Security Systems and Logistics Company and strengthen ongoing efforts to enhance food security in both the state and the country.
The approval followed the presentation of a letter to the House by the Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, seeking legislative backing for the transaction. The correspondence conveyed through the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which is serving as the transaction bank requested the Assembly’s approval for the issuance of a bank guarantee in favour of the financial institution.
During plenary the Speaker read the governor’s request before members who subsequently considered and approved the proposal.
Governor Bago explained that the loan request had earlier received the endorsement of the State Executive Council during its 563rd meeting held on May 18, 2026, before being forwarded to the legislature for necessary action.
The governor noted that the facility would be deployed to expand irrigation infrastructure and support the state’s agricultural transformation agenda which prioritises year-round farming, increased productivity and improved access to food.
The intervention is also expected to enhance the activities of the Niger Food Security Systems and Logistics Company a key vehicle established by the state government to drive large-scale agricultural production, storage and distribution.
Observers say the project aligns with ongoing efforts by the Niger State Government to position the state as a major food production hub and contribute to national food sufficiency through increased investment in mechanised and climate-resilient agriculture.
