President Bola Ahmed

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is delivering on its promise to reposition Nigeria as a global agricultural powerhouse, with reforms aimed at making farming more appealing to young Nigerians.

Speaking at the launch of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme in Abuja on Monday, the president said the government’s approach is focused on modernisation, mechanisation, and youth empowerment.

“We have here over 2,000 advanced tractors, 50 industrial-grade land preparation bulldozers, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, and 9,000-plus specialised farming implements,” Tinubu announced. “This equipment, when deployed, will empower mechanisation and service providers, create job opportunities, and make farming easy and sexier for our young ones.”

He said the era of using outdated methods in agriculture was over. “You don’t have to use an 18th-century method for a 21st-century agricultural implement,” the president said.

Tinubu also noted that the federal government is partnering with international bodies, including Belarus, to train young Nigerians in modern farming, mechanisation, and machinery maintenance. According to him, the goal is to get more youths off the streets and into productive ventures that promote financial independence.

“Our strategy embraces year-round cultivation and aims to reduce Nigeria’s long-standing challenges of seasonal food shortages. Given our vast arable land and favourable climate, we must seize this opportunity to achieve full agricultural independence and food sovereignty,” he said.

The president urged stakeholders and programme beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly and efficiently. “Deploy with maximum efficiency. We will supervise you, and we will hold you accountable,” he said.

Tinubu expressed optimism that the initiative would mark the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s agricultural journey. “Let history record this day as the beginning of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance — where modern technology meets our farmers’ legendary resilience to create unprecedented prosperity,” he stated.

He also commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its efforts in managing the country’s food system and addressing the current food crisis.