Jigawa earns national recognition for Agricultural Competitiveness at BusinessDay Media award

Jigawa State has been nominated for the 2026 States Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA) in recognition of its growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural economies, highlighting the state’s expanding role in boosting food production and export-oriented farming.

The nomination, conveyed by BusinessDay Media Limited, acknowledges Jigawa’s sustained investments and policy initiatives aimed at transforming agriculture into a major driver of economic growth, employment generation and industrial development.

According to the organisers, the state’s commitment to modernising agriculture has positioned it among Nigeria’s most competitive investment destinations in the sector.

A major factor behind the recognition is the large-scale mechanisation programme introduced by the state government, which has seen the deployment of more than 3,000 tractors and other farming implements across farming communities.

The initiative is credited with increasing cultivated farmland, improving productivity and enhancing farming efficiency throughout the state.

BusinessDay noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Jigawa’s economy, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while ongoing investments in irrigation, extension services, input support and agricultural value chains continue to strengthen the sector.

The state’s impressive crop production profile also contributed to its nomination.

Jigawa is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading producers of sesame seeds, contributing between 40 and 75 per cent of national output and strengthening the country’s export market.

The state is also ranked among the top three rice-producing states in Nigeria, with more than 150,000 hectares cultivated annually, while investments in irrigation have boosted dry-season wheat production.

In addition, Jigawa remains the country’s largest producer of hibiscus flower, a major non-oil export commodity, while groundnuts, millet and sorghum continue to support food security and agro-processing activities.

The state is equally recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading producers of gum arabic, reinforcing efforts to diversify export earnings beyond crude oil.

The SCIRA awards recognise states demonstrating strong competitiveness, investment readiness and economic transformation across key sectors, with Jigawa’s nomination reflecting its growing influence in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.