The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has inaugurated rice processing mills in Niger State under the Nigeria for Women Project, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering women and boosting local agriculture.
The inauguration, led by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, took place in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area, with symbolic commissioning of 41 mills spread across the state’s three senatorial districts—13 in Gurara, 16 in Agaie, and 12 in Wushishi.
Speaking at the event, the Minister praised the Niger State government for its unwavering support for women-focused initiatives.
She highlighted the success of the project, attributing it to the commitment of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and aligning it with the development goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister also revealed plans to expand the programme across Nigeria’s 36 states to maximize its impact.
A cheque for ₦492 million was presented to 41 women groups in the state as operational funding to further support the initiative.
Governor Bago described the project as unprecedented, lauding women as excellent financial managers who drive societal development.
He announced that the state government would off-take rice from the mills to supply boarding schools and pledged to continue supporting the programme.
Additionally, he revealed plans to build a crèche near the mills, construct a primary healthcare center, and develop a 5-kilometer access road to the facility.
The Task Team Leader of the Nigeria for Women Project, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, highlighted the mills’ capacity to produce two tons of rice daily and noted that the initiative has directly improved the livelihoods of 460,000 women across Nigeria.
Gurara Local Government Chairman Abdulhalim Abubakar emphasized the project’s economic significance, stating that it will boost rice production, create jobs, and enhance women’s incomes.
The event concluded with tree planting by the Governor and Minister, supporting the state’s Green Initiative.
