The Federal Government has kicked off a large-scale housing and farming settlements project aimed at improving rural security and increasing food production across Nigeria. The first phase of the initiative will take off in Niger State, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja.
The MoU was signed by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, and Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, covering the development of a farming settlement on 100,000 hectares of land. Dr. Uzoka-Anite described the agreement as a clear show of cooperation between federal and state governments, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister, the project goes beyond housing, as it is designed to create secure, well-planned farming communities that support agricultural production, storage, processing, and access to markets. She noted that while Niger State is richly endowed with agricultural resources, issues such as insecurity, poor infrastructure, and rural-urban migration have limited farmers’ productivity.
By providing stable settlements with basic infrastructure, the initiative aims to boost farm output, reduce post-harvest losses, improve security, and attract young people back into agriculture. Dr. Uzoka-Anite added that the project uses an innovative financing model that combines public assets with private investment to ensure sustainability and transparency.
The Managing Director of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, confirmed that funding is available and partners are being sought nationwide. In response, Governor Bago pledged to return with the Certificate of Occupancy for the land to allow immediate implementation of the project
