Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has appealed to indigenes of the state living in Abuja to return home and take advantage of emerging economic opportunities in the state’s rapidly developing agricultural sector.

The call was made during a visit by a delegation of Jigawa economic migrants to the governor’s residence in Asokoro, Abuja. In a video clip from the event seen by PUNCH, Namadi highlighted the significant strides his administration has made in transforming agriculture into a viable and sustainable employment avenue for citizens.

“We have improved agriculture; we have created jobs in Jigawa,” the governor said. “Because in Jigawa now, in Jigawa today, anyone who lives in Jigawa will not lose the business he will do. Look at how we are doing agriculture and business.”

Jigawa, which has struggled with high unemployment, saw its jobless rate reach 23.1% in 2023—well above the national average—according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. This has spurred a wave of economic migration, particularly among young people, to urban centres such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

Namadi emphasized that his administration’s focus on mechanised farming and irrigation infrastructure under a new agriculture policy is already yielding results, positioning Jigawa as a potential agro-industrial hub not just in Nigeria but across West Africa.

“This initiative aims to boost food security and create employment opportunities,” he said. “With its thriving agricultural sector and growing economy, the state is poised for significant growth and progress.”

The governor praised the visiting migrants for maintaining discipline and upholding the state’s reputation while in Abuja, but urged them to consider returning home to contribute to Jigawa’s development.

He added that citizens could potentially earn more in Jigawa through agriculture than in the urban hustle of Abuja, citing the successful cultivation of crops such as sesame seeds, rice, and wheat.

The migrants, in response, expressed appreciation for the administration’s support and acknowledged receiving invitations to participate in various empowerment schemes, including summer farming initiatives and school security programmes.

They commended the governor’s leadership and expressed willingness to return and participate in the state’s renewed development drive.

Governor Namadi’s push for reverse migration aligns with his broader vision to harness local resources and human capital in transforming Jigawa into an economic powerhouse driven by agriculture and innovation.