In a significant boost to agricultural and engineering development in Nigeria, Kebbi State Government has officially handed over ten hectares of land to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for the establishment of the Agricultural Machinery Development Institute (AMEDI). The ceremony took place today along the Birnin Kebbi-Argungu road, marking a pivotal step in the federal initiative to advance agricultural machinery development across the country.

The land transfer aligns with the Federal Government’s directive to establish one AMEDI in each of the six geopolitical zones. Kebbi State was selected among the seven states of the North-West geopolitical zone due to its extensive arable land and prominence in rice and other agricultural productions.

The document of the land was handed over by Alhaji Dahiru Zaki, Permanent Secretary of the Kebbi State Cabinet Office, to Dr. Mohammed Mohammed, Director of Procurement at NASENI, who received it on behalf of the Agency’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu. The event was attended by key state officials including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Alhaji Abukar Ahmed, and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Governor’s office.

Alhaji Zaki expressed the state’s gratitude towards the Federal Government for choosing Kebbi as the site for the new AMEDI, highlighting the potential for accelerated development and job creation for the youth in the area. He emphasized that the decision was influenced by Kebbi State’s leading role in agricultural production, particularly rice.

Dr. Mohammed conveyed appreciation to Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State for providing NASENI with such a strategically important location. He assured that construction of the institute would commence immediately, with all necessary preparations in place to advance this ambitious project.