Nigeria To Become Net Food Exporter Through 'Aggressive Mechanisation', Says President Tinubu

News in Brief: - President Tinubu aims to make Nigeria a net food exporter through aggressive agriculture mechanisation. - He says that this will help expand cultivated land while his administration offers low-interest loans to farmers and invest in irrigation. President Bola Tinubu has outlined plans to transform Nigeria's agricultural sector, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and eventually becoming a net exporter. He emphasized the use of 'aggressive mechanisation' to achieve this goal. According to a statement the president made during a meeting with a delegation from the Global Tijaniyya Movement led by Khalifa Muhammad Mahe Niass at the Presidential Villa , obtained by local news outlet, Tinubu reiterated his administration's commitment to supporting religious activities and highlighted the importance of spiritual endeavors in building a nation. He also seized the oppotunity to talk about his plans for the agricultural sector. By expanding the use of tractors and other machinery, he plans to boost production and bring more land under cultivation. In addition, he says that farmers will benefit from low-interest loans as financing is a major agricultural problem in the country. Another key issue is reliance on rain-fed farming, which limits producers to once cycle, and investing in irrigation systems is one way Tinubu hopes to combat water scarcity when the rains cease. The president stated that Nigeria will become a net exporter of food when all these plans align, expressing confidence in the nation's potential to achieve food security. Tinubu also urged for increased productivity and collaboration between political and spiritual leaders to advance the country's interests. He thanked the visiting Global Tijaniyya Movement delegates for their support and prayers. The president added that improving healthcare and social welfare, including equipping hospitals with modern equipment and providing comprehensive health insurance coverage, are part of his government's plan for a better Nigeria. The Khalifa of Tijaniyya, Sheikh Mahe Niass, commended President Tinubu's leadership and conveyed the movement's support and prayers. Meanwhile, the delegation offered prayers for the nation's progress, unity, and prosperity and for President Tinubu's success.