We’re Not Selling Our Agricultural Assets – Niger Govt

Niger State government has said that claims that the Mohammed Umar Bago administration had sold its tractors and laid off workers at Niger Foods to service debt were false and a serious misrepresentation of facts

The denial came yesterday from the commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Obed Nuhu Nana, who, in a statement, said the state was not selling its agricultural assets.

He said, “At no time has the Niger State government sold any tractor. On the contrary, the state has continued to expand its agricultural assets in line with its agricultural mechanisation agenda.

“Most recently, the government procured an additional 250 brand-new tractors as part of its ongoing commitment to food security and rural development,” Nana said.

The commissioner said the tractors were to be deployed on the state’s 25 local government areas, with each receiving 10 tractors to support farmers, enhance productivity and reduce reliance on labour-intensive farming practices.

According to him, “this deliberate expansion of agricultural infrastructure clearly contradicts any narrative of asset disposal driven by financial distress.”

Nana said the government’s effort was aimed at a strategic investment in long-term economic resilience, food sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.

“Similarly, the claim that Niger Foods has disengaged staff members to offset debt is completely unfounded. No employees have been laid off. In today’s environment of instantaneous communication and social media engagement, any such development would attract immediate attention from affected workers, labour unions and civil society organisations,” he added.

The commissioner said the allegations have no factual basis, noting that it is well established that Niger State has taken the lead in agricultural mechanisation by maintaining the largest tractor fleet in Nigeria.