Portal Opens in All 774 LGAs as Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Drive Targets Food Security and Poverty
By Queen Kunde
In a bold push to boost food production and fight poverty, the Federal Government has launched a fresh round of interest-free and collateral-free loans for at least 22,000 farmers across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The loan scheme, offering up to N300,000 per farmer, is part of the FarmerMoni Dry and Wet Season Programme under the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 3.0).
The initiative is being implemented by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
Speaking at the official launch in Abuja on Wednesday, National Programme Manager of GEEP, Mr. Hamza Baba, announced that the registration portal is now open.
“From today, our portal is open for eligible farmers to register and access these loans. They are interest-free and collateral-free,” he said.
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is designed strictly for active grassroots farmers, not new entrants. To qualify, applicants must:
- Be Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above
- Own or rent farmland
- Have a bank account and National Identification Number (NIN)
- Possess municipal identification
- Be members of a registered farming cooperative or association in their local government
Baba said the programme targets an average of 28 farmers per local government in this phase, covering all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
State programme managers will work with enumerators, banks, fintech recovery agents, Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs), and farmer associations to ensure smooth rollout.
More Than Just Loans
Unveiling the broader GEEP 3.0 initiative, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, described the programme as a practical step toward delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about people-centred economic growth. GEEP 3.0 is a clear expression of that promise,” the minister said.
According to him, the programme will not only support farmers but also artisans, petty traders and other small-scale entrepreneurs under TraderMoni.
He stressed that supporting farmers during both dry and wet planting seasons will reduce seasonal risks, improve yields and strengthen national food security.
“Our farmers are the backbone of the economy. Supporting them is both an economic necessity and a moral duty,” Doro said.
Farmers’ Groups Applaud Move
President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Hon. Muhammad Magaji, praised the initiative, saying it would target genuine farmers, many of whom are members of the association.
Similarly, National President of the National Agro Allied Commodities Cooperatives of Nigeria, Queen Hajarah Adesuyi Adeyeye, described the programme as timely and strategic, adding that smallholder farmers form the bulk of Nigeria’s workforce.
She said NACCON, with over 110 million farmer members nationwide, stands to benefit significantly.
Grassroots Registration, Strong Monitoring
GEEP Administrative Officer and Assistant Director at the ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma Chukwumbah, urged farmers to visit their local government GEEP offices to register, noting that arrangements have been made at the grassroots level for easy access.
She added that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have been built into the programme, alongside a capacity-building component to train beneficiaries and ensure the success of the scheme. The highpoint of the event was a visit to various display stands where farmers showcased their farm produce, drawing admiration from dignitaries and stakeholders in attendance.
The Bigger Goal
At its core, officials say the initiative has one clear mission: reduce poverty through empowerment.
With food prices high and rural livelihoods under pressure, the success of the scheme could determine whether this latest intervention truly delivers on its promise of renewed hope for Nigeria’s farmers.
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