Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Sunday, June 8, 2025, formally launch the National Asset Restoration Programme in Maiduguri, Borno State. The launch will mark the take-off of the programme in the North-East region, starting with the Tractor Recovery Project aimed at reviving thousands of broken-down farm machines across Nigeria.
The event will take place at the Borno State Agricultural Mechanization (BOSAMAN) Farm Centre, with key dignitaries expected to attend. Among them are Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and other top government officials.
The National Tractor Restoration Project is being implemented under the broader National Asset Restoration Programme. It is fully funded and supervised by NASENI and is executed in partnership with its technical collaborator, Machine and Equipment Corporation Africa Limited (MECA).
According to NASENI, the aim of the project is to support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a strong focus on mechanized farming and food security. The effort is also seen as a major step in reviving Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and reducing the country’s dependence on food imports.
Currently, Nigeria has an estimated 55,000 tractors that are non-functional, while only 7,000 to 10,000 are operational nationwide. This shortage in working tractors has been a major challenge to large-scale agriculture in the country, especially in rural communities.
Through this initiative, dozens of these tractors—starting with those in Borno and surrounding areas—are being repaired and fully restored. The repairs include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and structural upgrades, making them fit for immediate use on farms.
Speaking ahead of the launch, NASENI stated that this programme will not only increase access to mechanized tools for farmers but will also help rebuild livelihoods, especially in conflict-affected areas of the North-East.
“This project is a concrete step towards rebuilding rural economies, supporting local engineering innovation, and ensuring that farmers have the tools they need to boost food production,” said NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu.
The Tractor Recovery Project also supports the Federal Government’s plan to strengthen food systems, tackle hunger, and create job opportunities through improved access to agricultural equipment. According to experts, improving mechanization is critical to raising yields, reducing manual labour, and attracting youth into agriculture.
The choice of Maiduguri as the kick-off location is symbolic, as the region continues to recover from years of insecurity. The Federal Government believes that supporting farmers and rebuilding agricultural infrastructure is key to lasting peace and economic recovery in the North-East.
Vice President Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, is expected to highlight the importance of the project in his remarks at the launch. The event will also include on-site inspection of rehabilitated tractors and a demonstration of their readiness for deployment.
With rising food prices and concerns about national food security, the government sees the Tractor Recovery Project as a timely intervention. It is expected to expand to other parts of the country in the coming months, helping to restore and deploy thousands of idle agricultural assets.
The public and stakeholders in the agriculture sector are eagerly watching the rollout of the programme, which many hope will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize its agriculture and improve rural livelihoods.
