Why Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s Track Record Justifies a Second Term -By Abdulfatah Adam Suleja

First, hearty congratulations to the good people of Niger State, and to His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, on securing the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial ticket for the 2027 elections. His affirmation as the APC consensus candidate by delegates from all 277 wards of the state is not mere politics, it is a loud testament to his acceptability, stewardship, exemplary leadership, and integrity.

Governor Bago’s first term has redefined governance in Niger State. He combines vision with relentless execution. Unlike leaders who govern by memo, Bago is on the road, in the fields, and at construction sites. He supervises projects across the 25 Local Government Areas to ensure compliance with specifications, famously declaring he will not accept “audio reports.” The result is a legacy already being likened to the transformative eras of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of blessed memory, a legacy of impact that is seen, felt, and measurable.

At a time when critical sectors had been neglected and successive administrations merely treated the symptoms of problems facing human civilization, the emergence of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in Niger State has been a blessing. He is mending a broken system with measurable results: boosting agriculture and productivity, expanding the state through more sustainable models, and addressing core challenges. His policies are delivering long-term impact across agriculture, security, infrastructure, education, health, and power.

The Agricultural Revolution: From Potential to Productivity
The signature of the Bago administration is agriculture. Dubbed the “Farmer Governor,” he has moved Niger State from fallow potential to Nigeria’s emerging food basket.

Mechanisation on an Unprecedented Scale: Over 300 tractors and 1,000 handheld tillers have been delivered under a $650 million partnership with John Deere, with more than 1,000 tractors expected within six months. In 2024, his government distributed tractors, rice millers, threshers, power tillers, transplanters, fertilizers, and improved seeds to 640 farmers across the 25 LGAs.

Land as Capital: Over one million hectares have been cleared with 100 bulldozers provided free to farmers. The state has set aside 2.5 million hectares for commercial agriculture, including 500,000 hectares for rice with a target of 2.5–3 million tonnes annually.

Value Chain Development: Africa’s largest greenhouse estate — 3,000 hectares with 30,000 greenhouses is underway for vegetables, flowers, and exotic crops. A Special Agro-Processing Zone near Minna Airport is streamlining processing and exports. 41 rice processing mills have been established under the Nigeria for Women Project, creating jobs and empowering women.

Livestock Transformation: Mass vaccination of livestock, pivot irrigation for dry-season fodder, and the Tagwai Feedlot and Breeding Centre using high-yield genetics and artificial insemination have shifted cattle rearing from wandering herds to performance-based systems. Niger State also created the first-ever Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development and Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs.

Economic Returns: Niger State has attracted over $1 billion in agric-business investments since 2023 and generated over N600 billion from agriculture and related industries in 2024 alone.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly commended this drive. At the groundbreaking of the 82km Minna-Bida dual carriageway, the President, represented by the Minister of Information, said: _“The farmer Governor is showing the way not only in Agriculture but in infrastructural development”_. On his birthday, President Tinubu lauded Bago’s “transformative leadership… and the revolution in the agricultural sector that has earned him the epithet ‘farmer governor’,” noting his reforms have “positioned Niger State as a key player in Nigeria’s food security strategy”.

Infrastructural Revolution Across 25 LGAs
Bago’s first term has championed an infrastructural revolution of historic scale. His administration is executing about 1,000km of road projects across the state, including the 84km N169.7 billion Bida-Minna road co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. These roads come with streetlights, interchanges, and underpasses.

President Tinubu specifically applauded Bago for “massive road construction in Niger State,”_adding that _“road construction will save lives and create avenues for greater economic prosperity”. With ongoing projects, the Governor targets a N5 trillion GDP for Niger State within one year.

On Education & Health: The abandoned Shiroro Hotel is being converted into a College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital for IBB University. General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres are undergoing facelifts, with drugs and equipment supplied to meet global standards.

On Power & Green Economy: The administration launched a Green Economy Initiative with nurseries in all 25 LGAs for tree planting. Plans include 1 million tons of renewable energy storage facilities across the state.

Bago’s exuberance is rare in Nigeria’s governance history. He combines banking sector experience and legislative service with a farmer’s pragmatism. His administration received the Public Service Award on Agriculture and Food Security at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service and the Blueprint Newspaper Best Governor on Agriculture and Infrastructure Award.

As the 2027 election approaches, what Niger State needs is continuity. What Farmer Governor Bago needs is our prayers and support to advance a Niger State that will inspire pride in present and future generations.

The administration of Bago remains the driving force behind an infrastructural and agricultural revolution in Niger State.

Abdulfatah Adam
Writes from Suleja