By Jide Akinseye
Efforts to reposition Nigeria’s agricultural sector for sustainable growth are increasingly being driven by strong alliances between state governments and development institutions. In recognition of impactful leadership at the subnational level, the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria has announced plans to honour Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his administration’s sustained commitment to agricultural development in Gombe State.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State is set to receive a Special Recognition Award from the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria, in acknowledgement of the state’s consistent partnership and strategic investment in the agricultural sector.
The honour will be conferred at the 2026 SAA Nigeria Annual Stakeholders Workshop scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Abuja. The event is expected to attract top government officials, development partners, diplomats, and representatives from across the states to deliberate on strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.
With the theme, “SAA @ 40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale,” the workshop will hold at Rockview Royale Hotel, Wuse II, as part of activities marking 40 years of SAA’s operations in Africa.
The award highlights the long-standing collaboration between Gombe State and SAA, particularly in promoting agricultural extension services, improving smallholder farmers’ productivity, and enhancing rural livelihoods.
Since its establishment in 1996, Gombe State has sustained a productive partnership with SAA, an organisation supported by The Nippon Foundation. Through this collaboration, several programmes have been implemented to improve food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and inclusive agricultural services, especially for women, youth, and smallholder farmers.
Speaking ahead of the event, SAA Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, described the recognition as a testament to purposeful leadership and effective collaboration.
According to him, “This recognition celebrates a partnership backed by action. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership reflects the kind of subnational commitment essential for transforming agriculture in Nigeria.”
He added that Gombe State’s support for farmer-focused initiatives demonstrates the results that can be achieved when political will aligns with institutional frameworks and targeted investments.
The partnership between SAA and Gombe State spans several interventions, including Farmer Learning Platforms (FLP), Community Savings and Investment in Agriculture (CSIA), Private Extension Service Provision (PESP), and Community-Based Seed Multiplication (CBSM).
These initiatives have strengthened the agricultural value chain by improving farmers’ access to technology, knowledge, and markets, while also building the capacity of rural actors. The collaboration further promotes a pluralistic extension system that brings together the private sector, farmer organisations, research institutions, and civil society.
As SAA commemorates 40 years of operations in Africa and 33 years in Nigeria, the organisation reiterated that sustainable agricultural transformation depends on long-term partnerships, strategic investments, and consistent policy support—factors evident in its engagement with Gombe State.
The 2026 Annual Stakeholders Workshop will also provide an opportunity to review SAA’s achievements from 2021 to 2025, share lessons learned, and explore new partnerships aimed at advancing agricultural development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Founded in 1986 by Japanese philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, renowned agronomist Norman Borlaug, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the Sasakawa Africa Association continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa.
