Niger State has handed land to the Federal Government for Niger State farmer settlements, a model integrating housing, agriculture, renewable energy, and enterprise development

The Niger State Government has officially presented a Certificate of Occupancy to the Federal Government for the Sustainable Integrated Productive Communities programme, a move aimed at piloting a new model of integrated settlements for farmers.

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The handover, which occurred 13 days after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, merges mass housing, agriculture, renewable energy, and enterprise development into a single framework designed to foster inclusive growth.

The MoU was signed at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, with the ministry acting as the anchor institution and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) providing support for asset optimisation and private capital mobilisation.

Speaking at the event on Thursday, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the initiative is not merely a housing scheme, but a structured settlement plan for farmers, aimed at improving agricultural value chains and rural livelihoods.

“By anchoring farmers in stable communities with access to essential infrastructure, this project will enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve security, and encourage youth participation in agriculture,” Uzoka-Anite said. “When farmers are properly settled, agriculture becomes more efficient, more attractive, and more profitable.”

Uzoka-Anite highlighted that the programme also integrates renewable energy solutions, including solar-powered homes and community facilities, and incorporates efficient land use, access roads, water supply, and environmentally responsible construction.

She noted that MOFI’s role is critical in transforming public land into productive economic assets while blending public and private investment for sustainability.

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State described the initiative as transformative for agriculture and industrial development in the country. He noted that out of the state’s 8.4 million hectares of land, at least three million hectares are earmarked for the project.

“This model will create sustainable livelihoods, make it easier for farmers to own homes through mortgages, and improve nutrition and living standards in rural areas,” Bago said.

He added that the state is committed to mechanisation, pledging 10 tractors and two combined harvesters to each local government to support local production.

Armstrong Takang, Managing Director of MOFI, said the initiative is designed to convert unproductive land and assets into communities where residents can earn a living, access education, and enjoy basic infrastructure, reducing the need for rural-urban migration.

The programme builds on Niger State’s previous commitment to offer 100,000 hectares of land to the Federal Government for the integrated settlement scheme, which aims to boost food security, rural livelihoods, and inclusive economic growth.

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Officials said the initiative, anchored in Niger State, will serve as a scalable model for structured, sustainable farming communities across the country.