interview
NIGERIA MECHANIZED AGRO EXTENSION SERVICE PROJECT, A STRATEGIC MOVE TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY – DR. AMINU ABDULKADIR
The Managing Director of NATIONWIDE AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION COMPANY OF NIGERIA LTD (NAMCON) and National President of NAMCON GROUP while speaking with Sotayo Newsthumb publisher stated that NAMCON was Established to rebrand Agriculture, with a view to creating job opportunities, alleviate poverty, promote food security and sustainable Economic growth and development of Nigeria. He stated that NAMCON project is strategically structured to relief the Federal government of the burden of funding Agriculture and promote increase private sector investment in the entire Agriculture value chain.
Abdulkadir emphasized that no sector of Nigeria has the capacity to create job and engage the youths like the Agricultural sector. NAMCON project has the capacity to engage 15 million youths in 5years across Nigeria.
The managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide Agricultural Mechanisation Company of Nigeria (NAMCON), Dr. Aminu Abdulkadir, along with a Board member, Engineer Ibraheem Mustapha, the management of NAMCON revealed the plan for the creation of 528 Mechanized Agricultural centers across Nigeria.
Expert………,
WHAT MOTIVATED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NAMCON AT THIS PERIOD IN THE NATION?
I would say NAMCON is a child of necessity, created after 15 years of intensive research and survey of the agricultural sector with different experts from various units in the industry. We studied and reviewed past Agricultural projects both public and private Agricultural projects and their challenges from 1980 till date. To resolve these numerous challenges NAMCON was created to unlock the enormous potential of the sector and provide comprehensive agricultural solution to rural farmers who constitute over 80% of the farming population of Niigeria. We took into cognizance the need to reduce government funding of Agriculture and make it attractive to private investors.
We have five unique projects code named NAMCON SUPER 5 PROJECTS. The project includes:
1. Nigeria mechanized Agro extension service project.
2. Nationwide Livestock Development Project.
3. Women Nurturing Birds for Wealth Project.
4. Nigeria Agro Market Space.
5. Farmers Housing Project
NAMCON SUPER 5 PROJECTS are strategically structured to provide comprehensive agro solution through the 528 centers across Nigeria.People go to hospitals when they are sick, and when their rights are trampled on, they go to court to seek redress. But where do farmers go for help? Challenges such as these led to the establishment of NAMCON, where farmers will have access to mechanized agricultural consultancy services, technical support, supply of inputs such as improved seedlings, herbicides, organic fertilizer and storage facilities.
For several years, the government has funded the agricultural sector, yet less than 30% of our actual capacity has been utilized. NAMCON has 1400 primary Cooperatives, 284 Union Cooperatives and 32 State Apex Cooperative Societies. To maximize the full potential of the sector, NAMCON will create NAMCON centers in 528 Local Government Areas out of 774 local government councils, with these centers domiciled predominantly in rural areas for farmers. Farmers in these locations do not need to wait for the government but can visit the centers and access all the mechanized extension services and inputs.
Just as doctors diagnose patients to prescribe drugs, these centers will attend to farmers’ challenges—from soil preparation to seedlings. At harvest time, farm produce is shared in a 60/40 ratio: 60% goes to the farmers, while 40% covers administrative costs for the partners. We want to ensure that farmers get premium value from their farming activities.
With this, the yearly struggle to buy fertilizers will be eliminated. Young people, especially those who couldn’t secure white-collar jobs, will be attracted to farming, and their educational upliftment will enable them to contribute to the economy. The project will also drive down the cost of living, complementing the efforts of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu President and commander in chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We strongly believe that this agricultural project alone can generate at least 15 million jobs within the next three years. It is not rocket science—agriculture is the biggest and best sector that can absorb the labor force, contributing more to the country than oil and gas, ICT, telecommunications, and tourism. Agriculture is vast, and it is the silver bullet that can tackle unemployment, rural-urban migration, poverty, and insecurity in our country.
With our collaboration with the federal government, this project will bring significant sustainable development to Nigeria.
You mentioned bringing tractors to the country and supplying farmers with inputs. How do you intend to fund this and recoup your investment?
Thank you. To revitalize agriculture sector, one needs technology and mechanization. Those who need these machines cannot afford them, and those who can afford them are not interested.
We also understand the numerous efforts and interventions of the federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu in the last two years to bring back mechanization however efforts must be made not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Government can not own and manage and efficient agricultural project.
While we were planning to select a reputable manufacturer that will supply all the equipment needed, we received an invitation from the Chinese government to attend an Agricultural investment summit where we met different tractor manufacturers, and investors willing to supply, manage, and run the equipment with us over a period of 10years.
Our partners have agreed to supply 30,000 units of tractors over five years. other component of the infrastructure include.
1) To deploy 27,000 units of 75Hp Tractors complete with all implements across 528 Local Government Areas over the next 5years.
2). To train and employ 150,000 Youths as Agro Extension Staff over 5years.
3). Provide comprehensive Mechanized Agricultural services to 15million small holder farmers across Nigeria.
4). Provide standard inputs such as Improved seedlings, Herbicide, Organic Fertilizer for the farming of 11 major crops for local consumption and export.
5). Creation of 600 Customized storage centers across Nigeria.
6). Creation of 900 Super Food stores across Nigeria in 5 years.
7). Creation of 2 major service centers and Spare parts centers in North and South.
8). To deploy 600 CNG powered dedicated trucks for the transportation of Agricultural produce.
9). To deploy 600 Bulldozers and Excavators dedicated to creating access roads to farm settlements and cluster farms.
10). Supply of 25,000 Motor cycle for farm inspection, monitoring and supervision.
We are not giving the tractors to farmers outright but providing them as a service. For instance, cultivating one hectare of rice plantation according to international standards costs an average of ₦800,000, which farmers cannot afford. So, we offer this service to them and take 40% of the revenue generated. Farmers do not need to own any of these machines.
How do you raise funds to cover over 500 local governments for the project?
We have both technical and financial partners. The technical partners supply the equipment, while the financial partners fund the project. We have a payback period of about five to ten years.
This strengthens our belief that the agricultural sector is vibrant enough to generate the cash flow needed for repayment. We can feed ourselves and export to other countries. There is a huge market for our cassava in China, and our ginger is highly valuable. These crops alone can generate up to a billion dollars in annual revenue.
All we need is a strategic administrative support of the federal government.
Has this project been communicated to the state governments?
We are currently in discussions with state governments. Every level of government will have a role to play—from federal to local governments, with various contributions that are not necessarily financial.
Relevant government ministries department and agencies will play strategic roles and the traditional rulers will play active role in profiling rural farmers in their communities. Our reward system takes care of all level of government.
How will your organization handle insecurity, especially the herdsmen menace?
Security is primarily the government’s responsibility. We cannot guarantee security, but we have an integrated security solution.
We will engage idle hands in communities so they are not recruited into criminal activities. The social and cultural values of herders must be preserved in any agricultural project. We are creating semi-open grazing areas where they won’t have to roam in search of feed.
Each local government will have designated centers, including demonstration areas where herders can be introduced to modern livestock management through illustrated videos.
Rather than forcing them to buy feed immediately, we will integrate them into the project, gradually shifting their orientation. As they realize that these centers provide better milk yields and improved livestock value, they will naturally adopt the system.
What guarantees do you have regarding your Chinese partners’ ability to supply the needed equipment?
During our visit to China, the government invited many equipment manufacturers and assessed their capacities. Three factors made Zoom-Lion stand out:
1. We needed a manufacturer willing not only to sell equipment but also to operate it with us.
2. They have global coverage and a strong quality control system.
3. The company is 30% owned by the Chinese government and 70% by private investors.
ZOOMLION is the leading heavy equipment manufacturer in China and the fastest-selling agricultural equipment brand in Nigeria.
They have agreed to train and employ two technical personnel for every tractor brought into Nigeria and provide maintenance services. Additionally, ZOOMLION will establish training centers and an Agricultural Technical Hub in Abuja, serving as a seed improvement center, tourism attraction, and equipment assembly plant.
Have you introduced the NAMCON project to President Tinubu’s government, and what kind of collaboration is needed?
At the initial stage, the government can invest—not like the previous interventions where the government provided funding without a structured approach. Instead, we need the government to provide what we call Strategic Administrative Endorsement to establish statutory responsibilities through its agencies and MDAs. Agencies such as NADF and NAFDAC are needed to certify seedlings and other essential imports, while institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI) would be crucial for effective collaboration.
The Federal Government is primarily responsible for directing all MDAs to participate in the project, ensuring that the benefits for all stakeholders are well-defined for national economic progress. In line with this, we are proposing a national delegation, in collaboration with our Chinese partners, to pay courtesy visits to major stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and to our esteemed President. This will serve to formally introduce him to the project and its potential impact on the country.
What is your general assessment and scorecard for President Tinubu?
Well, I must commend Mr. President. Though it is not easy, as a student of economics and a realist, we understand how bad things were before he came to power. What previous Presidents couldn’t do, he has done. He took the bull by the horns—he has performed the necessary “surgery” to remove the “cancer” in our economy. The economy is rebounding, and we are seeing positive signals across major sectors. Food prices are declining, more people are returning to farming, and interest in agriculture is increasing. Our young people are now benefiting from student loans.
So many positive changes have been witnessed, but we strongly believe that our project will complement Mr. President’s efforts by serving as a major silver bullet to further drive economic recovery. There is no road or airport you construct today that will have an immediate impact on rural communities, but agriculture remains the only sector that can thrive without heavy private contributions. That is why our project is strategically designed to partner with the Federal Government in moving the nation forward within a short time.
I also want encourage him to continue on this path because he is doing exceptionally well. He understands the challenges ahead, and that is what brings me joy. I remember during the campaign, someone asked who among the presidential candidates was the best, and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was rated as the best strategist. That is the approach that successful countries adopt for growth. He is not working for himself but for national progress. Instead of congratulating him, I would rather congratulate all of us.
I know several Nigerian investors who had left but are now returning to invest. However, naysayers refuse to admit that he is doing well. My advice is for him to stay the course. Personally, I have observed that he is not backing down and is leaving no stone unturned. I do not see him serving only one term—I believe, by God’s grace, he will successfully secure a second term.
Engineer Ibraheem Mustapha, a key stakeholder at NAMCON and a former Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), has served Nigeria in various capacities. Drawing from his wealth of experience, he emphasizes the need to take agriculture seriously. He affirms that Nigeria can achieve progressive growth similar to China and Singapore if government-private initiatives are allowed to thrive for the benefit of all citizens. He further asserts that the NAMCON project, in collaboration with the Federal Government, will lift Nigeria out of food scarcity and add significant value to President Tinubu’s scorecard.
