FG’s ward development programme gains backing of farmers’ association
The Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme has received strong support from the Crop, Aquaculture, Livestock Farmers and Value Chain Economic Actors Association of Nigeria (CALFAN), which has proposed a formal collaboration to accelerate the initiative’s implementation.
The proposal was made during a meeting with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, on Wednesday in Abuja. CALFAN expressed its readiness to act as a field-level implementation partner for the programme, which was launched last year by President Bola Tinubu to promote grassroots economic growth.
The programme seeks to boost economic activities at the ward level by fostering cooperation among the federal, state, and local governments, while encouraging communities to identify and prioritise their own development opportunities. With 8,809 wards nationwide, the initiative aims to harness the unique economic potential of each locality.
Welcoming the delegation led by CALFAN National President, Mr Aliyu Abdulraheem, Senator Bagudu emphasised the importance of collaboration between government institutions and organised stakeholders in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda. He noted that the programme is designed to reduce inefficiencies in planning by concentrating efforts at the grassroots level.
“The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme aims to uncover the economic potential of every ward in Nigeria. Development strategies must reflect the unique strengths and resources of each community,” Bagudu said, adding that the initiative promotes a “whole-of-society” approach involving citizens, development partners, and all tiers of government.
Dr Deborah Odoh, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, commended CALFAN for its dedication to agriculture and highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving inclusive economic growth. She stressed that agriculture remains a key pillar for food security, employment generation, rural development, and economic diversification.
Abdulraheem outlined CALFAN’s grassroots infrastructure, including Ward-Level Extension Service Offices and a digital platform for real-time data collection, community mobilisation, and monitoring. He explained that the platform could facilitate economic mapping, infrastructure assessments, and evidence-based policy decisions across the agricultural value chain.
The meeting concluded with mutual appreciation and a commitment to ongoing collaboration. Both parties expressed optimism that the partnership would enhance programme delivery, increase productivity, and unlock economic opportunities at the ward level, supporting President Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.
