The Federal Government has officially launched the Irrigate Nigeria Project, an initiative aimed at transforming the nation’s agricultural sector through sustainable irrigation systems.
The programme, implemented by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in partnership with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), is designed to increase farmers’ income, boost food security and ensure year-round farming.
The formal launch took place on March 1, 2025, in Gamawa local government area of Bauchi State. Speaking at the event, NASENI’s executive vice chairman, Khalil Halilu stated that improved irrigation would enable farmers to engage in multiple farming cycles per year, leading to higher agricultural productivity and increased earnings.
He emphasised that the success of Nigeria’s agricultural sector depends on reducing reliance on rain-fed farming and adopting sustainable irrigation models.
Halilu explained that the project’s pilot phase began on a 10-hectare farmland in Gamawa, structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative to ensure long-term sustainability and large-scale production.
He highlighted four key components for the programme’s success: the deployment of NASENI’s centralised irrigation systems, the provision of high-yield seeds, fertilisers and technical support, a commercial model ensuring financial viability, and a strategic food reserve system where farmers repay in portions of their harvests, stabilising commodity prices and supporting food exports.
According to Halilu, Irrigate Nigeria is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, which prioritises economic empowerment and sustainable agriculture. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing food security while creating an enabling environment for private-sector participation in agriculture.
The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for selecting Gamawa as the first beneficiary of the initiative. He commended the project’s potential to enhance food production, strengthen rural economies and improve national stability.
“What the Federal Government is doing today in Gamawa is the fulfillment of the essence of governance – creating an enabling environment for citizens to thrive. This initiative is more than just about farming; it is about food security, economic empowerment and national development. It aligns perfectly with Bauchi State’s broader goals of expanding irrigation farming, reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture and building sustainable agricultural infrastructure,” the governor stated.
He further described the Irrigate Nigeria Project as a “model for agricultural excellence that will introduce advanced technologies, drive knowledge transfer and equitably distribute wealth across the agricultural value chain.” According to him, if implemented as designed, the project will benefit even the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring an inclusive agricultural transformation.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), Dr. Mohammed Dahiru emphasised that the project was structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) to ensure its long-term viability. He explained that unlike previous initiatives that were entirely government-funded and failed due to lack of sustainability, this project will leverage private sector investment to drive efficiency and success.
“No private sector entity invests funds in a project without ensuring its success. The private sector operates on sustainability and profitability principles, which is not always the case with fully government-funded projects. That is why Irrigate Nigeria was designed with PPP at its core to ensure it remains viable beyond its initial phase,” Dahiru noted.
He reiterated that the programme was not just about increasing farm output but also about building a resilient agricultural ecosystem that would position Nigeria as a major player in global food production.
The Irrigate Nigeria Project also aims to bridge existing gaps in agricultural infrastructure by ensuring that farmers have access to modern irrigation technology, agricultural inputs and structured market opportunities. The involvement of private sector partners is expected to enhance efficiency, improve access to financing and facilitate large-scale commercial farming across Nigeria.
A statement issued by NASENI’s director of information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan confirmed that the launch in Gamawa, Bauchi State, was just the first phase of the project’s rollout. The initiative will be expanded to other states nationwide, replicating the model developed in Bauchi.
The programme is expected to empower millions of farmers, increase food production and drive economic growth in rural communities. With an emphasis on innovation, sustainability and private-sector participation, the Irrigate Nigeria Project is set to revolutionise agriculture and establish a foundation for long-term national food security.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising food prices and climate-induced farming challenges, initiatives like Irrigate Nigeria represent a bold step toward self-sufficiency, economic diversification, and a resilient agricultural sector.
