Jigawa Workers Laud Agricultural Loan Scheme As State Govt. Expends Over N7.5 Billion 

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The Jigawa State workforce have commended the state government-agricultural loan scheme for civil servants as part of the efforts to encourage them to be self reliant and boost food security in the state.

The scheme, under its agricultural support programme which in its fourth phase has benefitted over 19, 000 civil servants gulping over #7.5 billion in three years running.

At the launch of the 2026 rainy season edition of the Workers’ Agric Support Programme at the Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company, (JASCO) in Dutse on Thursday, the leaderships of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Sunusi Al Hassan and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ali Sa’ad Dutse in separate remarks on behalf of their members expressed gratitude to the present administration for playing premium on workers’ welfare.

They noted that the programme, if sustained would go along way in enhancing the economic independence of the workers across the state

Governor Umar Namadi, who performed the launch, said the initiative forms part of his administration’s 12-Point Agenda aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of civil servants while boosting food production across the state.

According to the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Usman Amin Gumel maintained that the programme has continued to empower workers through access to agricultural inputs and interest-free revolving loans, enabling them to engage in farming as an additional source of income and contribute to food security.

According to him, the state government believes that if workers are guaranteed of self sufficiency and food security for them and their families they’ll be able to put in their best knowing that they’ll go back to meet their family members in good condition especially now that the country is going through serious economic reforms

“So, this scheme is part of the initiative of Hys Excellency towards ensuring that Jigawa state workers fully benefit from their resources. You also know that Jigawa state, under Governor Namadi has one of the best pension scheme for her retiring workers in the country.

Earlier, the Chairman State Technical Committee of the Programme, Alhaji Muhammad Kandira Dagacheri commended the governor’s visionary leadership, noting that this initiative had continued to improve the welfare of civil servants, promote food security and strengthen agricultural productivity across the state.

Dagacheri who is the Head of civil service noted that sequel to the successful implementation and impressive recovery performance recorded in the previous phases, the program has continued to operate on a sustainable revolving fund model, “this has enabled the government to extend support to more workers which ensure transparency, accountability and effective resource utilization.

Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, Yusha’u Abubakar stated this at the flag off ceremony for the disbursement of Agricultural inputs to workers for the 2026 rainy season (phase IV) held at JASCO office in Dutse, said no fewer than 17,000 workers benefittwd from the program in the previous phases, applauded Governor Namadi for the historic investment in workers and agriculture.

Abubakar who is also a member of the technical committee explained that organized labour and workforce in the state are proud to say that ‘this is the most successful revolving loan programme in the history of the state

He commended the Head of Service, who is also the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Alhaji Muhammad Dagacheri for his exemplary leadership, guidance and commitment, assured that the committee will continue to serve with transparency, accountability and dedication.