Category: Daily Trust

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its strike over a rift between the union and the Dangote Refinery.

The union, however, cautioned the management of Dangote Refinery against reneging on the agreement they both signed during a marathon meeting that was held at the Office of the National Security Adviser.

President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, announced the strike suspension at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

Daily Trust reports that both PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery have been at loggerheads following the unionisation of some employees working with the refinery.

The company had sacked over 800 of its employees, a development the union frowned at.

While the company premised its decision on alleged sabotage, the union maintained that Dangote Refinery flouted Labour laws, International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions and the Nigerian constitution.

Specifically, the development triggered a rapid response from PENGASSAN, whose members shut down export terminals, blocked vessel loading, and locked offices across oil and gas facilities.

After marathon negotiations involving the federal government, labour leaders, and security agencies, a communique was signed on Wednesday where Dangote Group agreed to re-fix sacked employees.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in a statement on the outcome of the reconciliation meetings, said the parties agreed that the disengaged workers will be absorbed by other subsidiaries in Dangote Group without loss of pay.

The statement said, ‘The Minister of Labour informed the meeting that unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and that this right should be respected.

‘After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.

‘No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.’

Osifo, at the press briefing, dismissed claims that the union’s action was motivated by dues or levies.

The labour leader explained that by the fundamental principle of defending workers’ rights, the association had no choice but to act after the mass sack, saying they’ve not violated any law of the land.

He said, ‘About two weeks ago, over 800 Nigerians voluntarily subscribed to join PENGASSAN. Within days of notifying management, all of them were dismissed with a single letter.

‘When these people were hired, they were given individual letters, but when it came to termination, one single letter was used to throw all of them out. We found that unacceptable.

Continuing, he said, ‘We laugh when people say we went on strike because of dues. The total salary of those 800 members put together is less than what just 20 of our members earn in some international oil firms.

‘This was never about money. It was about their freedom of association, their right to join a union, and their right to fight for better conditions of service. That is why they came to us.’

The union leader also highlighted the broader danger of the accusations levelled against the sacked workers.

He said, ‘Once such allegations are made public, these workers may never get another job again.’

He further noted that PENGASSAN is sceptical about the company’s promises to reinstate the workers but said it decided to suspend the strike out of respect for the government and the mediation process.

‘Let it be clear, this suspension is in good faith, not because we fully trust the process. The moment we see any breach, we will return to the trenches without notice,’ he added.

The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, on Wednesday, confirmed that Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a news anchor with Arise TV, jumped from the third floor of her apartment during an armed robbery at her residence.

Somtochukwu, popularly known as Sommie, died on Monday following the attack at her home in Katampe, Abuja. She and a private security guard attached to the residence lost their lives in the incident.

Residents described the attack as part of a growing wave of robberies in the area. According to them, the robbers stormed the building around 3am, overpowered security personnel with superior firepower, and went from flat to flat, dispossessing occupants of their valuables.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Adewale explained that the gunmen first shot a security guard, which triggered widespread panic among residents.

He said Sommie, who lived on the third floor, ‘out of fear and panic,’ jumped from her apartment.

Police officers deployed to the scene later found her unconscious on the ground, the commissioner added.

Adewale said, ‘Two private security guards were on duty and one of them, who had the courage to challenge them, sustained a gunshot injury.

‘Under this condition, you know the panic that would have resulted from this kind of environment.

‘Sommie actually occupied an apartment on the topmost floor of the building, out of fear, she jumped down from the third floor.

‘A distress call was raised to the control room. Policemen moved to the scene, and all they could see was the unconscious body of Sommie on the floor.’

He said Sommie was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors attempted to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful despite administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The police commissioner emphasised that the incident was a clear case of armed robbery, citing evidence recovered from the scene.

He further clarified that Sommie was not shot during the attack but tragically died after jumping from the third floor in fear and panic.

‘It is obvious that it is a clear case of robbery. Sommie was not shot, out of fear and panic, it is normal and reasonable for everyone, she jumped down.

‘They took her to Maitama General Hospital, where the doctor on duty tried as much as possible to see whether they could resuscitate her using CPR. It is unfortunate that she did not make it,’ he said.

The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), has described the restoration and commissioning of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, as a major boost to Nigeria’s creative economy.

AFRIMA commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Bankers’ Committee for spearheading the revamp of the iconic cultural landmark, originally opened in 1976. The restoration project, undertaken by the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee as part of their corporate social responsibility, was commissioned during Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary celebrations.

Speaking on the development, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, said the rebirth of the theatre represents not only the revival of a historic edifice but also renewed confidence in Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.

‘The National Arts Theatre has played a crucial role in nurturing African creativity, serving for decades as a hub for music, theatre, film and cultural festivals. Its revival speaks volumes about Nigeria’s vision and the dedication of stakeholders like the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee to supporting the creative economy. This is not just a building restored, but a renewal of cultural confidence and an investment in future generations of Nigerian and African talent,’ Dada said.

Beyond the theatre, AFRIMA used the occasion to congratulate Nigeria on its 65th independence anniversary, commending the country’s resilience and leadership in shaping Africa’s music, film, fashion and digital culture.

‘On behalf of the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Nigeria as the country marks 65 years of independence. Nigeria remains a vital partner to AFRIMA and a key pillar of Africa’s cultural identity. Its creative energy continues to inspire not just the continent but the world,’ he added.

Dada also highlighted Nigeria’s role as host of the 9th AFRIMA, noting that the awards have amplified African music on the global stage while promoting unity across the continent.

AFRIMA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing African music, nurturing young talent, and using culture as a tool for continental development and pride.

The 9th AFRIMA Awards is being organised in partnership with the AUC, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Lagos State as the official host city.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the current Director of Finance at Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has extended his warm felicitations to Honorable Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, member representing Bichi Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation on the occasion of his 44th birthday.

In a goodwill message on Thursday, Kwankwaso described Honorable Bichi as a true patriot and a vibrant personality whose contributions to the development of the society particularly in education and human capital development continue to inspire many.

According Kwankwaso, Honorable Bichi has carved a niche for himself as a household name in Nigeria politics owing his unrelenting commitment to the progress and unity of the country, as exemplified in his passion for service, bridge-building efforts, and consistent advocacy for use participation in politics.

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He prayed to Allah’s continued guidance, wisdom and good health for Hourable Bichi, while wishing him greater successes ahead. Kwankwaso said, ‘On behalf of my family and associates, I join eminent Nigerians in celebrating a true patriot and a shining symbol of youth capability in politics, Honourable Abubakar Bichi, as he marks his 44th year on earth.

‘May Allah the Almighty continue to grant him many more years filled with health, prosperity and service to humanity.’

Fulham FC organised a get-together party for the club’s Nigerian players, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze and staff members to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.

The get-together was held at Motspur Park, the club’s training ground, for its small Nigerian community.

The three players were present at the event alongside some of their non-Nigerian teammates.

A man identified as David Fasasi Azeez has fled his home in the Ushafa community of Bwari Area Council, FCT, after allegedly beating and injuring his wife, Mrs. Charity Olotu Fasasi.

The assault reportedly occurred after she allegedly aborted a pregnancy.

According to a neighbour of the victim, Mrs. Grace Benjamin, the incident happened on Friday night at the couple’s residence.

Mrs. Benjamin, who spoke to our reporter on Monday, said the man beat his wife-a mother of four-after discovering she had taken drugs to terminate the pregnancy.

The neighbour explained that a misunderstanding arose because the husband had asked his wife to keep the pregnancy.

‘You know the woman is my close neighbour, and before she aborted the pregnancy, the husband had even before now supported her, but along [the] line, the man later changed his mind and asked her not to abort the pregnancy,’ she said.

Mrs. Benjamin added that, ‘Until on Friday night when I started hearing screaming from the house and i rushed over to discover that the man was beating his wife with blood all over her face.’

According to her, the beating reportedly led to bleeding from the wife’s mouth.

”Upon hearing about the incident, the woman’s parents rushed her to a health centre in the community,” she added,

According to Mrs. Benjamin, the husband, a furniture maker in Ushafa, fled the house after receiving information that the police were coming to arrest him.

Abuja Metro gathered that the couple had been arguing about the pregnancy for over two weeks. The man is reportedly yet to return home since Friday night, and the police are said to be tracking him.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, SP Adeh Josephine, said the incident has not been reported at the command.

‘You know anything that has to do with domestic violence, they hardly report it to the police, but let me find out from the DPO, and I will get back to you later,’ she stated.

A 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index report has revealed that only six out of 517 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) passed the minimum benchmark, leaving 511 trapped in the red zone.

The report, revealed in Abuja by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), painted a troubling picture of how critical agencies from finance to defence, agriculture to education, continue to lag behind in accountability.

CeFTPI’s Executive Director, Dr Umar Yakubu, said the assessment, conducted in partnership with government oversight bodies, exposed deep gaps in disclosure, ethics, and service delivery.

‘The figures speak for themselves. Citizens rely on these agencies every day, yet the institutions meant to manage trillions in revenue and services lack the transparency expected of them,’ he explained.

Yakubu noted that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) came first for the second consecutive year with a score of 78.84 percent, followed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) with 78.21 per cent, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with 78.13 percent.

He added that three institutions were in the yellow zone with borderline scores: the Development Bank of Nigeria (62.60 per cent), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (54.12 percent), and the Bank of Industry (51.29 percent). ‘The rest of the 511 MDAs all fall in the red category, which means they failed the integrity test,’ he said.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, noted that the poor showing was not only about corruption but also weak compliance.

‘This is about systems that are supposed to work for Nigerians but often don’t. Our job is to close those gaps and make transparency the norm,’ he said.

Agencies on red zone

The report showed that even agencies at the heart of Nigeria’s economy fell short. These include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation all performed poorly. Analysts say the implications are dire. ‘When the institutions that manage our money cannot fully account for their processes, then trust in the economy suffers,’ Yakubu added.

Other agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also failed to inspire confidence as well as The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Despite being Nigeria’s main revenue source, transparency remains elusive in the oil and power sectors.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) all scored below expectations.

Similarly, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) failed the transparency test.

Yakubu said the failure of such agencies raised red flags because of their centrality to the country’s finances.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council were all among the 511 agencies that scored poorly.

The aviation sector was not spared either, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) both performing below standards.

On land, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) equally fared badly, raising concerns about transparency in major infrastructure projects.

Despite consuming a huge chunk of the federal budget, the Ministry of Defence, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force all recorded dismal performances.

The Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) also failed to meet transparency standards. Yakubu said the results were particularly worrying given ongoing security challenges.

Commenting, Arabi said, ‘Defence and security institutions cannot continue to operate like black boxes. Nigerians deserve to know how their resources are being deployed.’

He added that even agencies created to check corruption and abuse of office performed poorly. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) were all listed among those that failed the test.

Arabi said this contradiction was a wake-up call. ‘If anti-corruption institutions themselves cannot fully comply with disclosure, then it undermines the fight against corruption,’ he added.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Court of Appeal, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Federal Judicial Service Commission also recorded poor results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly Service Commission were not left out.

The Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) were all in the red zone. Agencies like NAFDAC, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and several Federal Medical Centres and Teaching Hospitals also failed to pass the test. Health watchers say this could undermine service delivery.

‘When hospitals and health regulators are not transparent, citizens lose faith in the system, especially in times of crisis,’ Arabi said.

The Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) all ranked poorly. Major examination bodies such as JAMB, WAEC (Nigeria), and NECO also scored low.

Yakubu noted that lack of openness in the education sector was hurting young Nigerians. ‘Students and parents deserve accountability in how resources are used,’ he said.

Agencies critical to Nigeria’s food security were also implicated. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) all failed the test. Others included the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), the Bank of Agriculture, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Observers said the result was worrying given rising hunger. ‘Agricultural agencies are supposed to support farmers and boost food production. Their failure reflects directly on food prices,’ one analyst noted.

In the technology and media sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Galaxy Backbone all failed.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also performed poorly.

Agencies entrusted with pensions and welfare also fared badly. The National Pension Commission (PENCOM), the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) were all in the red zone. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Family Homes Fund Ltd also recorded weak compliance.

‘Index not to shame institutions’

Despite the poor numbers, CeFTPI said the index was not meant to shame institutions but to guide reforms.

‘We want to see improvement. Transparency is not a luxury, it is a necessity for national development,’ Yakubu stressed.

Arabi added that reforms would be pushed harder. ‘We will continue to work with agencies to mainstream openness and accountability. Nigerians deserve no less,’ he said.

The 2025 Index is expected to form part of broader governance reforms, but for many citizens, the revelations only confirm what they already know, that too many of the country’s most important agencies operate in secrecy, while service delivery suffers.

The number of those who were involved in a boat tragedy in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State has risen to 36.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed this in an update on Wednesday night.

The agency said 40 persons were rescued from the ill fated boat.

The boat capsized at the bank of the river around Akpu and Odumomo settlements.

It was reportedly carrying passengers from riverine communities in the areas to Ilushi in Edo state.

Majority of the passengers include, children, women and some mourners who came for burial ceremony in the town and were on their way back to Ilushi.

NIWA’s Head of Idah station in the flank of the state , Williams Isaac, disclosed the latest update to NTA’s ‘News Xtra’.

He said the most affected people were from Onugwa and other riverine communities in Ibaji Local Government Area .

Isaac added further that the rescue efforts are still ongoing, stressing that the journey turned tragic when the boat conveying about 80 passengers capsized midway to its destination.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had expressed shock over the accident, directing all relevant agencies to swing into action on rescue operation.

The Governor further enjoined the would -be travellers by river to adopt simple safety measures, as he commiserated the families of the victims and prayed to God to grant the deceased external rest.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the October 1 National broadcast of President Bola Tinubu as uninspiring and disappointing.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, Ologunagba said the President’s Independence Day speech was ‘uninspiring and disappointing.’

Ologunagba, who spoke on various other issues in the party, noted that the National convention of the party is sacrosanct.

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On the Independence Anniversary speech, the PDP spokesman said as usual, the speech was full of misleading claims and statistics that do not reflect the reality Nigerians face.

He said Independence Day should have been an opportunity to give a true account of the past year and highlight genuine progress, ‘instead, what we got was the same failed narratives and empty rhetoric.’

He said the President claimed that the economy is performing well, but Nigerians are asking: ‘which corner has the economy really turned? Is it the corner of insecurity, where violence has crippled farming and production? The corner of rising costs, where parents cannot pay school fees? Or the corner where families live in fear of kidnappers and bandits? Talk is cheap. What matters is what people feel in their daily lives, and the hardship on the streets tells a very different story.

‘The reality is that insecurity remains a serious threat. Just a few days ago, in Abuja, we saw the gruesome murder of a brilliant lawyer and journalist. That is only one of many incidents that show how unsafe people feel. Families live in constant fear, yet the government keeps insisting that things are improving. Independence should mean freedom from fear, but Nigerians do not feel free.

‘The government has taken us backwards compared to the past. Under the PDP administration, Nigeria paid off its debts and created real economic opportunities. Today, the APC has plunged the country into unsustainable debt, much of it without any clear link to development projects. Instead, borrowing has fuelled corruption and waste. That is not progress. It is dependence, not independence.

‘We are told that trillions have been saved through subsidy removal, but Nigerians cannot see where the money is going. We hear of trillions saved, but also of trillions borrowed. What projects have these funds been tied to? Where is the transparency? Without accountability, these so-called savings mean nothing to ordinary people.’

He said, ‘the independence speech by the President yesterday, which, to say the least was pathetic, it was boring, it was uninspiring, as true, as always, typical of the APC with their propaganda.

‘It was full of lies, false statistics that does not attune to the realities on ground. And some of them we have. We’ll go into that as we have this conversation. In specific terms, of course, you listen to this speech.

I don’t know how many Nigerians listen to it. From the body language of the President, even as he was reading those speeches, you know that he doesn’t even believe in it.

‘ When you prepare a speech as big as an independence speech, which you have a connection between the Person, which is the President who is actually making the presentation, and the body language should be able to show that.

‘Because the President knew, that the broadcast, that he was saying things that are completely not correct, it was false. Because it’s at variance, the whole content was at variance with the realities on ground that you and I and every Nigerian face today.’

Jigawa State is steadily positioning itself as Nigeria’s emerging hub for date palm production.

It is blessed with a unique soil composition that allows date trees to produce fruits twice a year, unlike many other countries where harvest comes only once.

Findings have shown that the state is leveraging on this natural advantage to drive job creation, boost internally generated revenue and diversify its economy.

For Jigawa State, date palm farming is more than an agricultural pursuit, it is a deliberate strategy to tackle unemployment, discourage irregular migration among youths.

More youth take up date farming

In September 2025, the state trained more than 2,000 young people under its Date Palm Development Programme. At least 400 of them were empowered with land, seedlings and farming tools, while 1,042 others received half a hectare of land each.

Governor Namadi emphasized that the programme is not just about farming but also creating a generation of agricultural entrepreneurs who will redefine Jigawa economy,’ the governor said.

Experts say the economic potential of Jigawa’s date palm industry is vast. Dr Abdulhamid Hamza Muhammad of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) noted that a single tree could yield up to 70 kilograms of dates annually. With large-scale planting, a hectare could generate earnings of over N20 million yearly.

An agricultural economist, Malam Mu’azzam Musa added that Jigawa’s comparative advantage could soon make it West Africa’s top producer of dates.

‘With advanced technology and from what we have seen on the state’s commitment, date palm farming in Jigawa is not just profitable but also a pathway to transforming the state into a tourist and agricultural hub,’ he said.

The recent development, according to another agricultural economist, Mr Patrick Yelda, is that date palm fruit and trunk of date palm are utilised in local industries, which supply packing materials for local marketing of fruits and vegetables, as well as for many other uses, adding that with the recent commitment, date farmers are now exposed to these benefits along the value chain of the fruit.

He explained that the tree and fruit byproducts offer an extra income as various parts of the date trees have been used for the preparation of animal feed, construction materials, household goods and paper. And the trunk of a date tree is usually used to erect bucolic houses. These, according to him, mean additional income to the farmers.

He emphasized that there is a need for stakeholders to equip farmers with various marketing skills to fully explore the date palm business.

‘Marketing assists in providing income at the local, state, national and international levels. It is also aimed at providing support to producers and helps them increase production by adopting new and improved technologies. Moreover, any development in the volume of trade characterised by enhanced marketing will generate the government further support by providing basic amenities, such as roads, infrastructures and water storage facilities, among others; which will finally improve marketing efficiency,’ he said.

Farmers and beneficiaries speak

For farmers and trainees, the programme is already rewriting their future and changing their economic status. Abdullahi Babaro, a beneficiary from Birniwa Local Government Area expressed optimism thus: ‘I believe I will become a millionaire within three years. Date palm production is like gold in Jigawa.’

Another trainee, Ibrahim Sani, highlighted the training in processing, packaging, and creating date-based foods and drinks. ‘We now see endless opportunities in the value chain,’ he said.

A veteran farmer, Malam Shehu Umar, who has cultivated dates for over 30 years, praised the initiative. ‘Previous governments overlooked the sector, but this administration’s intervention is already changing the economic narrative of Jigawa,’ he said. he further revealed that with the present support date farming will no doubt take op the shape it ought to have taken years ago, stressing that in Nigerian history, Jigawa State is now synonymous to date palm.

Saudi partnership sparks new hope

In February 2025, Jigawa struck a strategic partnership with a Saudi Arabian business delegation to scale up date palm production. Receiving the team at Government House, Dutse, Governor Namadi described the deal as ‘a game-changer’ that would reposition the state’s agricultural economy.

‘This partnership is expected to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth in the region. Saudi Arabia is among the world’s top three producers of dates, and by tapping into their expertise, Jigawa can maximise its unique potential,’ the governor said.

He stressed that the collaboration would reduce dependence on federal allocations, strengthen Jigawa’s revenue base and open the state to foreign investments in cultivation, processing, packaging and marketing of dates.

Abdul’aziz Abdurrahman Al-Awf, who led the Saudi delegation, pledged support through expertise-sharing, technology transfer and global best practices. He said, ‘We believe that by sharing our expertise and technology we can help Jigawa State achieve its agricultural goals.’

This partnership had triggered new hope in the state, taking into consideration that various governments have come and left with little or no consideration given to the sector. The move by the state government had rekindled a light of hope as new farmers were being encouraged to complement the old hands in the business.

A future written in dates

Jigawa’s experiment with date palm production may soon become a model for agricultural transformation in Nigeria. If current efforts continue at this pace and with strategic partnerships, youth empowerment and modern farming techniques adopted, the state is on course to redefine its economic identity and become a key player in Africa’s agricultural map. Therefore, for Jigawa State, the path to prosperity may well be lined with date palm production.