Jigawa Workers Agricultural Programme, another giant stride by Gov Namadi’s administration
By Ali Baba-Inuwa
Last week’s flag off of the phase IV of the Jigawa State Workers’ Agricultural Support Programme (JWASP) for the 2026 Rainy Season farming, marks another milestone in the determination of Gov. Umar Namadi’s led administration, to enhance the welfare of Civil Servants in the State.
No fewer than 5,550 workers across various strata of the service, were empowered with soft loans in form of cash and agricultural inputs amounting to about N1. 2 billion, to cultivate food and cash crops in the 2026 farming season.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gov Umar Namadi, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Aminu Usman, described the programme as a strategic investment in food security across the state.
“It gives me a great job to flag off the phase four of the Jigawa Workers’ Agricultural Support Programme.
“The Jigawa Workers’ Agricultural Support Programme is one of the most innovative and impactful workers empowerment initiatives in our dear state.
“When we came into office, we made a firm commitment that agriculture will remain at the centre of our economic strategy, today we are building on that by investing directly in our workers and our farmers, the two groups that form the backbone of our economy.
“The workers agricultural support programme is not merely a loan scheme, but a strategic investment in food security, economic empowerment, poverty reduction and rural development,” he said.
Namadi said that over 17,000 workers had so far benefitted from the programme since its inception.
“From phase one of three, the programme has directly supported over 17,000 workers with revolving agricultural loans amounting to about N7 billion, making it one of the largest and most successful workers focus agricultural programmes in Nigeria.
“Today, with the flag off of the phase four of the programme, our administration is extending this support even further by selecting 5,550 workers to benefit from agricultural value chain loans valued at over N1.2billion for the 2026 raining season farming programme.
“This investment reaffirms our commitment to empowering workers, increasing agricultural productivity and food security across the state.
“The programme has proven that workers are not only public servants, but also productive farmers capable of contributing meaningfully to food security and economic prosperity of our state,” he said.
Namadi said that the programme aligned with the administration’s 12 Point Agenda.
“The success of this initiative aligns with our 12 Point Agenda, particularly our commitment to agriculture and food security, economic empowerment, poverty reduction, job creation and human capital development
“Under this administration, agriculture has remain a highest priority, because we recognised that no society can prosper without food security and rural economy.
“Beyond this programme, government has continued to support farmers through the provision of seedlings, fertilizers, mechanisation services, irrigation development and livestock support programme and investment in extension services across the state.
“We have extended support for dry season farmers, by providing infrastructure and trying to encourage all citizens to participate actively in agriculture,” he said.
Namadi said that the government placed high premium on workers’ welfare, because it was essential for sustainable development.
“Our administration has also invested heavily in workers’ welfare, because the welfare of workers is essential for sustainable development.
“We have continued to prioritise promt salary payment and implementation of promotions, recruitment into critical sectors extension of healthcare services ,construction of schools and hospitals and affordable housing initiative and implementation of social protection programmes.
“These are all components of our 12 points agenda to support our belief that government must improve the quality of life and economic opportunities available to the people,” he said.
Shedding more light, the Chairman of the State Technical Committee on the Programme, Alhaji Muhammad Dagaceri, said that the implementation of the phase four, followed the successes recorded in the previous phases.
“Following the successful implementation of the previous phases, the programme has continued to operate on a sustainable revolving fund model.
“This enabled the government to extend support to more workers, while ensuring transparency, accountability and effective resource utilisation.
“The commencement of the phase four of the programme further demonstrate the unwavering commitment of Gov Umar Namadi ‘s visionary leadership to continue to support this laudable initiative. I also commend all stakeholders whose dedication and commitment has ensured the success of the programme.
“To the beneficiaries, I urge you to make judicious use of the inputs provided and ensure timely repayment to sustain the programme for the benefit of other workers.
Some of beneficiaries, who spoke at the event, expressed joy at the gesture, commending the administration in its effort to enhance the welfare and living conditions of workers in the state.
Malam Hamisu Muhammad, a worker at the State’s Ministry of Justice, described the gesture as timely, saying it would provide the opportunity to prepare for his retirement from service in the next three years.
