The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niger State for the provision of mass housing and agricultural settlements for farmers in the state.

The MoU was signed by the two parties in Abuja on Friday.

The minister of state for finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, signed on behalf of the ministry of finance Incorporated (MOFI) while the Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, signed on behalf of the state.

Mrs Uzoka-Anite said that the project entailed the Niger State government providing 100,000 hectares of land for the farm estate.

The Niger farm estate project, the first of its kind in the country, has key partners. 

They include MOFI, Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Niger Foods Limited.

Mrs Uzoka-Anite described the MoU as a settlement framework for farmers, aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and improving livelihoods across the state. 

The minister said that the choice of Niger to pilot the farmers’ estate was deliberate.

“Niger remains one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally endowed states. 

“Challenges such as insecure settlements, rural-urban migration, and inadequate infrastructure continue to limit the full potential of our farming communities.

“This initiative seeks to address these challenges by providing structured, secure and well-planned housing settlements for farmers, strategically located to support agricultural production, storage, processing and market access,” she said.

Mrs Uzoka-Anite said that by anchoring farmers in stable communities with access to basic infrastructure, the project would enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve security and encourage youth participation in agriculture. 

“Housing, as we know, is a fundamental pillar of development, but in Niger State, housing also intersects directly with agriculture, food security, rural stability and economic productivity,” she said.

According to the minister, when farmers are properly settled, agriculture becomes more efficient, more attractive, and more profitable.

She said that the project adopted an innovative financing model that blends public assets with private investment, ensuring sustainability, transparency, and shared risk. 

“It allows government to focus on enabling policy and oversight, while leveraging the efficiency and scale of the private sector. 

“Beyond its agricultural focus, the project promotes job security by creating stable, long-term employment across agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy maintenance, logistics and community services,” she said. 

She said that the mass housing and settlement project would stimulate broad-based economic activity by creating jobs for engineers, builders, artisans, suppliers and service providers.

“It will support local industries such as cement, steel, agro-processing, logistics and transportation. 

“It will strengthen rural economies and contribute meaningfully to the state’s internally generated revenue. Affordability and inclusiveness are central to this initiative,” she said.

She said that MOFI’s role in the project was strategic and catalytic as a key institution under the federal ministry of finance. 

The minister said that MOFI brought deep expertise in asset optimisation, project structuring, and private capital mobilisation.

She said that through this collaboration, public land and assets were being transformed into productive economic instruments that deliver tangible value to citizens while reducing fiscal pressure on government.

She said that the settlements were not luxury estates but were designed to be functional, cost-effective, and aligned with the income realities of farmers and low- to middle-income earners.

The minister said that transparent allocation mechanisms and strong governance structures would ensure that the benefits reached the intended beneficiaries.

“Sustainability remains a key priority, with integrated renewable energy solutions, including solar-powered homes and community facilities, to ensure reliable electricity, reduce energy costs, and support agro-processing and storage activities.

“As these settlements are developed, emphasis will be placed on efficient land use, access roads, water solutions and environmentally responsible building practices that support long-term community growth,” she said.

She also said that the MoU demonstrated cooperative federalism, strategic alignment, and a shared commitment to inclusive economic development.

According to her, it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 

The Niger governor lauded the project as a milestone, an idea that aligns with the state’s agriculture programme.

Mr Bago said that the state would provide 100,000 hectares of land for the farm estate and promised to present the Certificate of Occupancy of the land to the minister on Monday. 

He said that his government was deliberate and committed to helping people transition out of poverty.

“We are happy to be chosen for the pilot stage. This will address the issue of insecurity.

“Niger state has the largest mechanised land of all the states in Nigeria, and with this initiative, we have solved 80 per cent of our problems.

“We have a mission to develop a rail line from minna to Abuja and there would be farming corridor. We will create grazing reserves in the farm estate,” he said. 

(NAN)