NALDA, firm seal investment deal to boost agribusiness

In a move aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition from subsistence farming to an investment-driven agricultural economy, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Arzikim Noma, an agribusiness firm, for the management and financing of the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate in Ora, Kwara State.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the National Assembly Library in Abuja, signals a new chapter in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes private-sector participation in national food security initiatives.

NALDA’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Cornelius Adebayo, described the partnership as a sustainable agribusiness model that balances public infrastructure with private-sector efficiency. “We’ve provided the land, infrastructure, and enabling environment, while Arzikim Noma is financing and managing the farming clusters,” he said. “This structure ensures sustainability and commercial viability beyond government tenure.

The 5,000-hectare Ora Mega Farm Estate is designed as a fully mechanized hub equipped with modern infrastructure — including hostels, warehouses, a police post, mechanization centers, and recreational facilities — all aimed at attracting youth and private investors into large-scale farming. Over 1,050 hectares have already been cleared for cultivation, with Arzikim Noma overseeing input financing, farmer management, and output aggregation.

Under the scheme, each participating farmer will cultivate five hectares, with mechanization and input services provided on credit. Repayments will be made after harvest, a model designed to foster accountability and boost productivity without upfront financial burdens.

Arzikim Noma’s Group Managing Director, Michael Adeshola, emphasized that the collaboration is a long-term bet on Nigeria’s agricultural profitability. “This partnership will not only boost yields and profitability for farmers but also open new investment frontiers in agro-processing, input supply, and exports,” he said.

He added that Arzikim Noma’s successful participation and loan repayment record under the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme provided the operational credibility needed to de-risk agribusiness investments in Nigeria. “Our partnership with NALDA gives investors confidence because it combines government-backed land infrastructure with private-sector accountability,” Adeshola noted.

The NALDA–Arzikim Noma collaboration aligns with global agro-industrial trends that leverage public-private partnerships to reduce fiscal pressure on government, attract private capital, and expand agricultural value chains. With similar farm clusters planned for Ekiti and Bauchi States, NALDA aims to open up 10 million hectares of arable land over the next decade — a move expected to drive food production, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Source: Tribune Online

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The NALDA–Arzikim Noma partnership represents one of the most structured attempts to reposition Nigeria’s agriculture from a government-dependent activity to a commercially viable enterprise anchored on investment and efficiency.

1. Institutionalizing Private-Sector-Led Agribusiness Development
   This collaboration redefines the role of government in agriculture — from direct intervention to facilitation. By providing land and infrastructure while allowing private entities to finance and manage operations, the model introduces accountability, innovation, and commercial discipline into the sector.
2. A Scalable Model for Agro-Investment and Rural Development
   The 5,000-hectare Ora Farm Estate stands as a pilot that could be replicated nationwide. Its mechanized and performance-based structure ensures inclusivity for smallholders while maintaining profitability for investors — a rare balance in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
3.  Boosting Investor Confidence Through Risk-Sharing Mechanisms
   The pay-after-harvest model minimizes the financial exposure of farmers while assuring investors of structured returns. This hybrid financing approach can unlock larger pools of impact and private equity funds into agriculture — a critical enabler for food system transformation.
4.  Strengthening Nigeria’s Agro-Industrial Competitiveness
   By integrating production, processing, and export readiness, the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate model contributes directly to Nigeria’s positioning under AfCFTA. It reduces import dependency and fosters self-sufficiency while laying the groundwork for agro-export expansion.
5. Aligning National Policy with Global Trends in Sustainable Agriculture
   This partnership aligns with international trends where governments provide the enabling environment while private actors drive efficiency and innovation. It reflects a transition toward data-driven, mechanized, and export-oriented agribusiness ecosystems.

Conclusion
The NALDA–Arzikim Noma partnership is more than a project — it is a blueprint for sustainable agricultural commercialization in Nigeria. If effectively implemented and scaled, this public-private synergy could redefine how Nigeria feeds itself, empowers rural communities, and competes in regional agricultural trade. It sets the tone for a future where agribusiness is not just policy rhetoric but a profitable, system-driven enterprise.”