Kaduna to procure 120,000 bags of fertiliser, construct 11 roads in Zaria

The Kaduna State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 6,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, equivalent to 120,000 bags, to support smallholder farmers across the state. The approval was granted at the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Uba Sani on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe; the […]

The Kaduna State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 6,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, equivalent to 120,000 bags, to support smallholder farmers across the state.

The approval was granted at the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Uba Sani on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe; the Secretary to the State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere; commissioners; and other senior government officials.

The decision follows the state government’s continued investment in agriculture. Last August, Governor Sani distributed 400 trucks of free fertiliser to 100,000 smallholder farmers as part of his farmer-first policy. In 2024, the state also carried out its largest fertiliser distribution exercise, delivering more than 500 trucks of fertiliser to farmers alongside other support for dry-season farming.

Briefing journalists after the council meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the council also approved the Phase II construction of township roads in Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Government Areas.

According to him, the project is expected to improve road infrastructure, facilitate the movement of people and goods, boost economic activities, and enhance access to communities within the metropolitan area.

Maiyaki said the contract for six of the 11 roads was awarded to Messrs Mothercat Nigerian Limited. The roads include Babban Dodo–Durumi–Kofan Kuyanbana, Rimin Tsiwa–Kofan Gayan, the road linking the Secretariat to Albarkawa and Kaura, Maje Road, Turunku Road (Sabon Gari, Zaria), Waff Road (Sabon Gari, Zaria), and Layin Radio.

He added that Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract for five road projects in the two local government areas. These include Aba Road, Tudun Wada, Turunku Road (Sabon Layi, Tudun Wada, Zaria), Dadda’u Road (Layin M. Mamuda), Sheikh Umar Muazu Street, Idris Majeh Street, and Fillin Mallawa.

The commissioner also announced that the council approved the Kaduna State Life Skills Policy, which he described as a landmark framework aimed at equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to succeed in education, employment and life.

According to him, the policy provides for the integration of life skills education into both formal and non-formal learning through curriculum development, effective teaching methods and appropriate assessment frameworks.

He said the policy also seeks to strengthen teachers’ capacity, promote socio-emotional learning and learner well-being, and enhance employability and entrepreneurship among young people.

Maiyaki noted that Kaduna State is the first sub-national government in Nigeria to implement the policy.

The commissioner further disclosed that the council approved the Kaduna State Policy on Gender in Education, which provides a comprehensive framework for promoting equity, inclusion, participation, retention, completion and improved learning outcomes for all learners.

He said the policy aims to eliminate gender-based barriers to enrolment and participation, reduce school dropout rates, support the progression of girls and boys through the education system, and promote gender-responsive teaching and learning across educational institutions in the state.