Tinubu Assures Farmers Interest-Free Loans for Food Sufficiency

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday promised to provide interest-free loans to farmers to enhance food security in Nigeria.

He made this pledge when he campaigned in Dutse, Jigawa State, yesterday, where he also commissioned 400 tractors and other agricultural equipment procured by the state government to support mechanised farming and strengthen food sufficiency and security.

“We will reward small-scale farmers. Interest-free loans for farmers are coming. Prosperity is coming. Food security will happen,” the President said at the Dutse Township Stadium.

He used the occasion to thank residents of the state for their support, appealing to them to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, where he seeks a second term of four years in office.

On May 29, 2023, Mr Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria and during his inaugural speech, he announced an end to the petrol subsidy. This action pushed the prices of goods and services up. The cost of living also skyrocketed, giving opposition figures a reason to promise a return to fuel subsidy if elected next year.

But at the campaign rally yesterday, Mr Tinubu pushed back, stressing that political rivals advocating for its return are only trying to deceive Nigerians, questioning how they would fund developmental projects if elected.

The President assured the people of a better future, saying that withdrawing the wasteful petroleum subsidy has made several laudable projects across the country’s geopolitical zones possible.

“You have seen what we are doing. Across the country, no region is left behind. Those who think they should bring the subsidy back are liars.

“How will they pay for those commitments? How will you repair the roads? How will you maintain them? How will you function? he queried.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to overcome the country’s security challenges through sustained reforms, including improved salaries and welfare for the armed forces and police personnel.

“I promise you, we are working hard to ensure that Nigeria is safe and our forces are well taken care of, regardless of where they come from.

“We will conquer insecurity. We’ve been through many wars. We will defeat our enemies. Enemies of unity, Enemies of stability. Enemies of hope. I assure you that we are doing that.

“We’re strengthening the police; we’re strengthening the armed forces. We are paying better salaries today,” he said at the event, where he unveiled the APC campaign manifesto, titled From Reforms to Prosperity.

According to him, the manifesto provided a blueprint for consolidating economic reforms, expanding opportunities and delivering shared prosperity, vowing to complete ongoing programmes and projects, noting that the administration’s policies were already yielding results across several sectors.