Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has flagged off the free distribution of 157,800 bags of assorted fertiliser worth ₦7.7 billion to farmers across the state’s 23 local government areas, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to food security and agricultural transformation.
The flag-off, held on Friday in Wamakko Local Government Area, coincides with the governor’s third anniversary in office and forms part of his broader 9‑Point SMART Agenda, which identifies agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy.
“Agriculture remains a key pillar of our development strategy,” Governor Aliyu stated. “In collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, we procured 157,800 bags of NPK and urea fertiliser—equivalent to 263 truckloads—at a total cost of ₦7,706,800,000.”
Distribution Strategy Targets Vulnerable Farmers
Under the sharing formula, each local government will receive six truckloads of fertiliser, while an additional 22 truckloads are reserved exclusively for vulnerable and less‑privileged farmers to ensure broader coverage.
The governor acknowledged that his administration’s initial free fertiliser initiative in 2023 was undermined by diversion and abuse by unscrupulous individuals. However, he expressed confidence that improved monitoring mechanisms now in place would guarantee that only genuine farmers benefit from the resumption of free distribution.
“Enhanced accountability measures have been instituted to prevent past malpractices,” he assured.
Mechanisation and Inputs Package
Beyond fertiliser, the state government has procured 7,800 bags of improved seeds—including millet, hybrid maize, sorghum, cowpea, beans, and FARO 44 rice—alongside herbicides and insecticides, all to be distributed free of charge to boost productivity during the 2026 wet season.
In a significant push for mechanisation, the governor disclosed that contracts have been awarded for the purchase of 250 Massey Ferguson MF 375 tractors valued at ₦22.1 billion, with 75 per cent of the sum already paid to ensure prompt delivery. Approximately 90 per cent of the tractors have been received.
Additionally, the Federal Government, through the Bank of Agriculture, has approved 100 Belarus tractors for Sokoto under a special financing arrangement.
Call for Accountability
Governor Aliyu urged security agencies to arrest anyone caught diverting the inputs and appealed to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fertiliser, seeds, and agrochemicals to improve their yields and livelihoods.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustained support to the agricultural sector through policies aimed at achieving food sufficiency.
Committees and Traditional Support
Chairman of the Sale and Distribution of Fertiliser and Other Essential Commodities Committee, Alhaji Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo, assured farmers of transparent measures to ensure the inputs reach genuine beneficiaries across all 23 LGAs.
Earlier, Wamakko LGA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Umar, described the gesture as a testament to the governor’s dedication to improving farmers’ welfare and stimulating rural economic growth.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by Baraden Wamakko, Alhaji Ahmed Barade, commended Governor Aliyu for prioritising agriculture and other human capital development programmes.