Tinubu To Inaugurate Niger State’s Agro-Processing Zone, Airport, March 11

ABUJA, NIGERIA – President Bola Tinubu is set to inaugurate an agro-processing zone and an airport in Minna, the capital city of Niger State, on Monday, March 11, 2024.

The announcement was made by the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, during a meeting with the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Governor Bago, while leading the NUJ delegation on a tour, emphasized the pivotal role the state would play in Nigeria’s agricultural sector with the establishment of the agro-processing zone located within the airport premises.

“This is a free zone, and within a free zone, there are no limitations. We have ambitious plans to expand the current 2,000 hectares of land around the airport to 10,000 hectares.

“We are commencing with 2,000 hectares and will continue to expand. We are also constructing approximately 140 kilometers of water irrigation from the Shiroro Dam to this area, in partnership with both local and international stakeholders who are eager to commence work”, stated the governor.

Governor Bago further elaborated on the infrastructure development around the airport, including plans to provide 80 megawatts of power, thus creating an attractive environment for industrial investments.

“We are poised to become a major industrial hub by offering free energy to industries willing to establish themselves here. Niger State currently hosts four hydropower dams, enabling us to subsidize 60 percent of the nation’s power consumption. We are also advocating for a 13.5 percent derivation from the federal government,” the governor explained.

During the tour, Chris Isiguzo, the National President of NUJ, commended the governor’s dedication to transforming the state.

“The infrastructure development around the airport demonstrates the state government’s commitment to progress. This airport, which rivals many others across Africa, reflects the significant investments made by the state government, despite it being a federal airport,” remarked Isiguzo.