GOV. INUWA YAHAYA HONOURED FOR AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIP WITH SAA

Abuja, April 10, 2026

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has received a Special Award from the Sasakawa Africa Association in recognition of his administration’s sustained partnership and commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, and rural development.

The award was presented during the 2026 SAA Nigeria Annual Stakeholders’ Workshop held on Thursday in Abuja, which gathered senior government officials, development partners, diplomats, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to discuss strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.

The event, themed “SAA @ 40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale,” also marked the 40th anniversary of SAA’s operations in Africa.

Organizers said Governor Inuwa Yahaya was honoured for his consistent support toward agricultural development programmes that have improved extension services, boosted smallholder productivity, and strengthened climate resilience in Gombe State.

Gombe State has maintained a long-standing collaboration with SAA, supported by The Nippon Foundation, focusing on farmer-driven initiatives aimed at improving food security, nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive rural development.

Speaking at the event, SAA Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, described the recognition as a reflection of “purposeful leadership and measurable impact,” noting that Gombe State’s partnership demonstrates the importance of political will in transforming agriculture at the subnational level.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, the Director of Agriculture in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Ibrahim Sajo, expressed appreciation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening collaborations that enhance farmers’ productivity and livelihoods.

He said the recognition validates the administration’s strategic investment in agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.

Programmes implemented under the partnership include Farmer Learning Platforms, Community Savings and Investment in Agriculture, Private Extension Service Provision, and Community-Based Seed Multiplication, among others.

These initiatives, according to stakeholders, have strengthened agricultural systems across production and post-harvest stages while improving farmers’ access to technology, inputs, and markets.

The collaboration also promotes a pluralistic extension system involving private sector actors, farmer organizations, research institutions, and civil society groups.

Signed: Ismaila Uba Misilli

Director-General, Press Affairs

Government House, Gombe