Former President Obasanjo and Governor Yahaya commission Premier Seed’s high-tech processing plant in Gombe, positioning the state as a key agro-industrial hub
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State have commissioned a cutting-edge seed processing facility established by Premier Seed Nigeria Limited at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, Dadinkowa.
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The high-tech factory is poised to transform agricultural productivity across the North-East by offering farmers access to certified, climate-resilient seed varieties.
The facility features advanced equipment for cleaning, grading, treating, and packaging seeds.
It is expected to enhance yields and increase resilience to climate change, particularly for smallholder farmers across Nigeria.
In his remarks, Obasanjo commended Governor Yahaya’s vision in establishing the industrial park, describing it as “a noble initiative and a catalyst for sustainable economic development.”
He stressed the pivotal role of seed in the agricultural value chain, saying, “Seed is the most indispensable input in agriculture. If you don’t get the seed component right, the entire value chain becomes shaky.”
Highlighting Gombe’s strategic advantage, Obasanjo noted the park’s proximity to the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant, which he described as ideal for industrial growth.
He also applauded Premier Seed Nigeria for equipping the factory with world-class machinery capable of producing high-quality, climate-smart seeds.
Governor Yahaya said the commissioning marked a key milestone in the fulfilment of his administration’s goals for agricultural transformation and economic diversification.
“This event represents the realisation of our dream to make Gombe a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria,” he stated.
He emphasised that the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is part of a broader development strategy that includes a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone.
Yahaya also cited the state’s top ranking in the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria in 2021 and 2022 as evidence of ongoing reforms and strategic infrastructure investment.
According to him, over ₦22 billion has already been committed to the park’s development, with 85 per cent of infrastructure completed.
Managing Director of Premier Seed Nigeria Limited, Mr Ibitoye Oyewale, credited the success of the project to collaboration with Propcom+, a UK-funded programme promoting climate-smart agriculture.
Dr Abiye Ode, Country Director of Propcom+, hailed the initiative as a step towards realising President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda and Governor Yahaya’s agricultural vision.
Also present was Hon. Futuhu Mohammed, Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council, who praised the initiative and reiterated the council’s commitment to quality assurance in seed production nationwide.
Gombe State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Tourism, Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to attracting industrial investors.
He described the Industrial Park as a strategic project designed to stimulate job creation, drive economic growth and position the state at the centre of Nigeria’s agro-industrial map.
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With Premier Seed Nigeria Limited becoming the first major investor at the park, the Gombe seed factory is being hailed as a foundational pillar in Nigeria’s quest for agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial expansion.