…Federal Government Applauds Abia’s Agricultural Revolution

Abia State has taken another significant step towards advancing the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda with the official flag-off of the Abia State Farmers’ Input Support Programme.
This is an initiative designed to empower 18,634 verified farmers across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas with improved farm inputs aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs and strengthening food security.

Flagging off the programme at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Governor Dr. Alex Otti, described agriculture as a critical pillar of economic diversification and sustainable development, reaffirming his administration’s determination to transform the sector from subsistence farming to commercially driven agriculture.

The programme, themed “Improved Inputs, Increased Yields, Sustainable Prosperity for Farmers,” aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on agriculture, which prioritises increased food production, food security, poverty reduction, youth employment and sustainable economic growth through strategic investments in the agricultural sector.

Governor Otti announced that the programme, initially designed to benefit 17,000 farmers, was expanded to 18,634 beneficiaries following a successful farmers’ registration and verification exercise that produced a comprehensive Agricultural Dynamic Database System.
According to the Governor, the digital database guarantees transparency and accountability by ensuring that only genuine farmers with identifiable farmlands benefit from government interventions.
“We started with data gathering because we wanted to map every farmer to a farm. We now have a comprehensive database of our farmers. If we cannot identify you, we won’t be able to support you,” Governor Otti stated, while encouraging unregistered farmers to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise.

He reiterated that although government would continue supporting smallholder farmers, the long-term objective is to develop commercial agriculture capable of driving industrial-scale food production and economic prosperity.
“Agriculture is a veritable business. We are aggressively promoting commercial agriculture because it holds the key to food security, employment generation and wealth creation,” the Governor said.
Governor Otti further disclosed that transportation had been provided to ensure beneficiaries convey the distributed farm inputs to their farms at no additional cost, describing farmers as indispensable partners in the state’s development agenda.
He also revealed that the favourable investment climate created by his administration has continued to attract major investors into the agricultural sector, including a multinational palm oil company that has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Abia State Government to invest up to 200 million US dollars in agricultural development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, explained that all farm inputs—including improved varieties of cassava, maize, rice, plantain, sweet potatoes, pepper and tomato seedlings, organic fertilisers and herbicides—were fully funded by the state government and would be distributed free of charge.
He disclosed that 3,312 farmers received their inputs during the flag-off ceremony, while the remaining 15,322 beneficiaries would collect theirs through their respective Local Government Councils.
Dr. Agbaeze added that beneficiaries would also receive training and extension services to enable them adopt modern farming practices, increase productivity, improve livelihoods and transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Professor Chiedozie Egesi, described the programme as a major milestone in Abia’s agricultural transformation and a practical demonstration that agriculture has regained its rightful place as a priority in the state’s development agenda.
He commended Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and praised the establishment of the Agricultural Dynamic Database System, noting that it guarantees transparency while ensuring that government support reaches genuine farmers.
Professor Egesi stressed that agriculture remains the foundation of Nigeria’s future and aligns squarely with the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving national food sufficiency, reducing dependence on food imports and expanding the agricultural value chain.
He observed that Abia possesses the fertile soils, strategic location and natural resources required to become the agricultural hub of the South-East and one of Nigeria’s leading agri-food production centres if sustained investments continue.
The NRCRI boss reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to partnering with the Abia State Government in agricultural research, improved planting materials, mechanisation, technology transfer and farmers’ capacity building to strengthen food security and create sustainable wealth for farming communities.

In her goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, applauded Governor Otti’s deliberate investments in agriculture, innovation and youth development.
She described the initiative as a strategic intervention that would improve productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, enhance rural livelihoods and support sustainable food systems.
Professor Akanwa reaffirmed the University’s readiness to collaborate with the Abia State Government and relevant stakeholders in advancing climate-smart agriculture, agricultural research, technology transfer and extension services.

The programme featured the distribution of agricultural inputs to beneficiaries and the inspection of agricultural produce exhibitions by Governor Otti and other dignitaries.
The initiative underscores the complementary roles of the Federal and Abia State Governments in driving agricultural development. This also demonstrates how strategic investments, innovation and strong partnerships can accelerate food security, stimulate rural economies, create employment opportunities and advance Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.

A landmark joint venture project of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Abia State Government has been formally launched in the state.

This Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) was officially launched  at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf OlaTunji Alausa said the establishment of the Manu-Tech UniPod reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation, and job creation.

Describing it as a “strategic investment in Nigeria’s future,” the Vice President noted that Universities must evolve beyond traditional teaching and research to become hubs for enterprise development, technology transfer, and industrial competitiveness.

In his keynote address titled “Science Meets Enterprise,” Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, said the siting of the UniPod in Abia speaks to the institutional faith the UNDP and Federal Government have in the State’s potential as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

He noted that, the faith and efforts the partners have in Abia is yielding tangible results, adding that the event is a demonstration of that, and appreciated the siting of the project in Abia.

“The siting of the Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia speaks eloquently to the institutional faith UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria have reposed in our dear State and the potential it holds as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

The Governor who disclosed that his government supported the UniPod project because it aligns perfectly with the economic development outline of his administration, noted that,

“With the launch of the UniPod, a new interest in qualitative research will develop as scientists, students and everyone connected to the University ecosystem begin to look beyond random and hurried publication of academic papers just to score points for the next promotion cycle.

“The expectation is that research efforts henceforth will be directed at answering questions with practical, everyday applications” Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor thanked all the stakeholders and partners including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the UNDP for their efforts and willpower that gave birth to the transformational project.

“Over the last 3 years, we have found them to be reliable partners which explains our expanding body of joint ventures projects targeting entrepreneurship development, job creation and similar initiatives aimed at opening new layers of economic and social opportunities for our women and young people in particular,” Gov. Otti stated.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the launch as part of a broader national innovation ecosystem being developed across Nigeria through the UniPod initiative.

She explained that the programme aims to connect education, research, innovation, enterprise, and manufacturing, enabling Universities to become drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.

Ms. Attafuah commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for their commitment to innovation-driven development. She particularly extolled Governor Alex Otti for his vision of transforming Abia into Nigeria’s leading hub for manufacturing and industrial innovation.

Earlier in her speech, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Professor Ursala Akanwa, described the commissioning as a defining moment in the University’s history.

She said the project represents the fulfilment of the institution’s mandate to deploy science, technology, and innovation in advancing agricultural development, manufacturing, and enterprise.

Prof. Akanwa expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for choosing MOUAU to host Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Tech UniPod.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. The Manu-Tech UniPod is expected to provide students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with access to advanced manufacturing equipment, prototyping facilities, and industry mentorship to convert research ideas into market-ready products.