The National Economic Council (NEC) has commended Gombe State for emerging as one of Nigeria’s leading examples in implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the state’s remarkable investments in agriculture, climate resilience, erosion control and environmental restoration.
Key Highlights
National Economic Council commends Gombe’s achievements in agriculture and climate resilience.
NEC monitoring team describes Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s projects as impactful and people-centred.
Delegation inspects major erosion control, irrigation and agricultural development projects.
Over 3,200 farmers benefiting from irrigation and agricultural support programmes.
Gombe’s ACReSAL projects integrate climate-smart agriculture, livelihood restoration and environmental protection.
NEC says findings will guide future policy implementation and strengthen economic development nationwide.
The Council praised Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for what it described as visionary leadership and strategic investments that are boosting food security, restoring degraded environments, improving livelihoods and accelerating economic growth across the state.
The commendation came from the Northeast Implementation Monitoring Committee of the National Economic Council during a two-day assessment visit to evaluate the implementation of key development projects and NEC resolutions aimed at promoting sustainable economic development.
The delegation inspected several flagship projects, including the 21-kilometre Federal College of Education (Technical) Gully Erosion Control Project, the ongoing 18-kilometre Doma Gully Erosion Control Project, the Kanawa Farm Centre, and the Kunji Irrigation Farmers’ Cluster in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area.
Speaking after the inspection, the Team Leader of the NEC Northeast Implementation Monitoring Committee, Dr. Maina Yaumi, expressed satisfaction with the quality and impact of the projects.
“Seeing is believing. These are not projects that exist only on paper; they are physically on the ground and making tangible impacts. We are genuinely impressed by what His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has accomplished,” Yaumi said.
He noted that the governor’s sustained investments in agriculture align with President Tinubu’s food security agenda, stressing that increased food production remains fundamental to sustainable economic development.
“Without food security, it is difficult to attain sustainable economic development. A well-fed population remains the foundation of any prosperous society,” he added after interacting with farmers at the Kunji Irrigation Farmers’ Cluster.
Yaumi explained that the monitoring exercise was designed to evaluate how states are implementing resolutions adopted during the monthly meetings of the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, rather than to conduct an audit or fault-finding exercise.
According to him, the committee’s findings will be presented to the Council to strengthen policy implementation, encourage peer learning and support evidence-based decision-making across the federation.
Also speaking, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, said the interventions demonstrate Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to protecting lives, restoring degraded ecosystems and creating sustainable livelihoods.
He explained that the projects extend beyond erosion control by promoting community-based livelihood restoration through Community Interest Groups that receive skills training and interest-free support in fish farming, poultry production, greenhouse farming, irrigated agriculture and other agricultural value chains.
Jauro added that the projects incorporate climate adaptation initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, waste recycling systems and organic fertiliser production to reduce environmental risks while promoting climate-smart agriculture.
He described the Kanawa Farm Centre as a modern agricultural innovation and capacity development hub established to strengthen extension services, improve farmers’ productivity and promote sustainable farming practices across the state.
According to him, the centre operates a circular economy model integrating fish farming, poultry, livestock production, waste recycling and organic fertiliser production to improve efficiency while reducing dependence on chemical inputs.
The Deputy Director of Agricultural Services in the Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Jonathan Bulus, described the facility as a “farmers’ hospital,” where producers can access improved seeds, fertilisers, technical advisory services, training, storage facilities and modern agricultural technologies under one roof.
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The NEC delegation was also briefed on the state’s agricultural support programmes, which currently serve 47 registered farmers’ clusters across Gombe’s 11 local government areas through extension services, improved farm inputs and capacity-building initiatives.
At the Kunji Irrigation Farmers’ Cluster, which comprises about 3,200 farmers, members expressed appreciation to the state government for interventions that have significantly boosted agricultural productivity and improved livelihoods.
Chairman of the Kunji and Kwadon Farmers’ Clusters, Gidado Abubakar, said dry-season farming, particularly cotton cultivation, has recorded substantially higher yields than rain-fed agriculture due to improved irrigation infrastructure and sustained government support.
Earlier, the NEC delegation toured the 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, the College of Nursing Sciences, projects within the Three Arms Zone, urban renewal projects in the Shehu Abubakar District, including the ongoing underpass, the new State Secretariat Complex, Government House and other major infrastructure projects executed by the Inuwa Yahaya administration.
