As the spectre of rising hunger and the unpredictable hand of climate change cast a long shadow over Nigeria, a determined initiative has emerged, promising to fundamentally reshape the nation’s agricultural landscape. The Irrigate Nigeria Project (INP), a collaboration between the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), is a daring gambit to wean Nigerian farming off its reliance on increasingly erratic rains. With the audacious goal of cultivating a million hectares through smart, year-round irrigation, the project offers a tantalising glimpse of a future where food security is not a seasonal gamble, and the rural economy pulsates with new life.
Unveiled with considerable fanfare at the TIAMIN Rice Farm in Bauchi State, the INP is not merely about watering crops; it’s a technological leap aimed at transforming the very rhythm of Nigerian agriculture. By deploying cutting-edge irrigation systems, the project envisions a future where farmers can reap three harvests annually, shattering the constraints of the traditional single rainy season. This ambition marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s long-standing struggle for sustainable food production and resilience against the growing threats of a changing climate.
The stark reality of Nigeria’s food insecurity crisis provides the urgent backdrop for this initiative. Conflict, entrenched poverty, spiralling inflation, environmental degradation, and the unpredictable nature of the weather have conspired to leave millions vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition, particularly in the beleaguered North-East. While Nigeria boasts a theoretical irrigation potential of over three million hectares, a paltry fraction – less than 200,000 hectares – currently benefits from such systems. This dependence on rain-fed agriculture has left the nation teetering on the edge of uncertainty with each passing season.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the dynamic Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NASENI, articulated the transformative vision of the INP at its launch. “The goal of Irrigate Nigeria is to transform Nigeria’s agriculture through the provision of sustainable irrigation systems that empower farmers to achieve year-round farming, and by extension, increased productivity and reduced food prices,” he declared. The project, he explained, is a direct assault on food scarcity, equipping farmers with the modern techniques and equipment necessary to thrive even during the dry months.
The INP rests on four key pillars: the establishment of centralised NASENI irrigation systems to support clusters of farms; the provision of essential inputs, including improved seeds and fertilisers; comprehensive technical support for farmers; and the creation of a commercially viable model to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability. Halilu acknowledged the collaborative effort required to reach this pilot phase, which will initially encompass 10,000 hectares.
Crucially, the repayment model for farmers has been designed to be manageable. Participating farmers will contribute portions of their harvests, such as rice paddy, as repayment for the support they receive. These contributions will then feed into a strategic food reserve, intended to stabilise market prices and be available for institutional sales and even export.
“Irrigate Nigeria Project will ensure that Nigeria’s farmers are able to farm throughout the year, regardless of the availability of rains,” Halilu asserted. “It will empower Nigeria’s farmers and rural economies. By increasing the quantity and quality of harvests, farmers and farming communities will see increased incomes. Nigerian consumers will benefit through reduced prices that will result from increased availability of food. Upon achievement of domestic sufficiency, Nigeria will be able to increase export volumes and earn much-needed foreign exchange.”
Dr Dahiru Muhammad, Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, lamented Nigeria’s continued reliance on rain-fed agriculture, despite the sector employing the vast majority of the workforce. He hailed the INP as a “transformative initiative” that will finally unlock Nigeria’s immense irrigation potential, with 70 percent of it lying untapped in the North. The project’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he explained, is a key differentiator, designed to attract vital investment, deploy cutting-edge smart irrigation technologies, and provide market-driven technical support. Farmers will also receive training in advanced farming techniques, water conservation, and agribusiness development, ensuring the project’s long-term viability.
Muhammad emphasized that the PPP model distinguishes the INP from previous, often inefficient, government-funded irrigation schemes. By merging public resources with private sector expertise and investment, the INP aims for long-term financial sustainability and operational effectiveness through shared risk. The integration of smart irrigation technologies, such as solar-powered water pumps and automated systems, is intended to maximise efficiency and minimise water wastage.
The ambitious implementation of the INP will be a multi-stakeholder endeavor, drawing contributions from state governments (for land allocation), private sector partners (for infrastructure and technical services), foreign technical collaborators, international development agencies, and, most importantly, the local farming communities themselves.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, wholeheartedly endorsed the project, pledging his administration’s full support in unlocking the state’s considerable agricultural potential. He confirmed that 50,000 hectares of land in Toro Local Government Area have already been earmarked for agricultural activities under this forward-thinking vision.
Representing the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and RHIDF, Zaccheus Adedeji, a senior official framed the initiative as a cornerstone of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” aimed at empowering youths and women through year-round agricultural activities.
Looking to the future, the Irrigate Nigeria Project holds the promise of creating a staggering five million jobs within five years, lifting rural populations out of the grip of poverty, and integrating farmers into the formal economy, thereby boosting financial inclusion and attracting crucial agribusiness investment. By embracing smart irrigation, the project aims to reduce water wastage, lower production costs, and dramatically increase crop yields, all while fostering community-driven agriculture, curbing youth restiveness, and stemming the tide of urban migration.
However, the ultimate success of this bold vision hinges on collective ownership and sustained action. As the first shovels break ground, the call echoes across Nigeria: every stakeholder, from government agencies to private sector giants and, most importantly, the nation’s hardworking farmers, must play their part to ensure that the Irrigate Nigeria Project delivers real,
