The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC), Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, today received the management team of Global Chemical Security and Safety Consultancy, led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mustapha Tijani Usman, on a courtesy visit to the Commission.
The team was at the Commission to present a proposal for collaboration on a Practical Farmer Training Project on Safe Use of Farm Chemicals for Optimal Production in the North-West region.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Usman said his organization was established with the mission to promote safety, resilience and sustainability through professional training, research, analysis, monitoring and evaluation on chemical use. He stated that the organization seeks to partner with the NWDC to drive safety and best practices in agro-chemical use and improve agriculture, which is central to food security and stability of the region.
Making the technical presentation on behalf of the team, Mr. Buba Shanu, Director, Chemical Security and Safety, said the proposed project is anchored on the urgent need to retrain farmers on the safe and responsible use of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and other agro-chemicals.
According to him, the North is not only the food basket of Nigeria but also houses the security of the nation. He warned that declining soil productivity due to continuous cultivation, rising population pressure on farmlands, and indiscriminate application of modern inputs have created serious health, environmental and productivity risks.
“Our farmlands have been cultivated for so long that production is running low. To boost production, our farmers have resorted to modern methods – herbicides, pesticides and special fertilizers. But not everyone knows how to use them correctly. And no matter how good a process is, if it is not done the right way, there will be consequences,” he said.
He explained that his team, which has a background in the fertilizer industry including experience from the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), has carried out extensive advocacy on safe use of farm chemicals and observed that many farmers lack the requisite knowledge on dosage, handling, storage, pre-harvest intervals and personal safety.
The proposed farmer training, he said, would help increase yield, reduce health hazards, protect the environment, and prevent chemical misuse that could have security implications. The program would adopt a practical, field-based approach targeting rural farming communities across the seven states of the North-West.
Responding, the MD/CEO, Prof. Ma’aji, thanked the team for the initiative and noted that the proposal aligns with the Commission’s mandate in agriculture, food security, human capital development and community resilience.
He observed that the North-West is at the heart of Nigeria’s food system, and that insecurity, low yields, and youth restiveness are interconnected. Any intervention that helps farmers produce more safely and sustainably, he said, is an intervention for peace and development.
Prof. Ma’aji assured the delegation that Management will review the proposal and come up with a workable collaboration framework.
He emphasized that NWDC will prioritize partnerships that deliver measurable impact, ensure safety, and create jobs for youths and women in the agricultural value chain.
Signed:
Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana, anipr
Director Press and Public Relations.
28/09/2026.
