President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a significant agricultural mechanisation program, commissioning over 10,000 farm equipment, including complimentary implements and sets of spare parts, at Sheda, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This landmark initiative, described by the president as the beginning of Nigeria's agricultural renewal, aims to drastically increase the level of agricultural mechanisation in the country, ensuring food sovereignty and transitioning farming practices from 18th-century methods to modern 21st-century approaches.

The comprehensive set of equipment includes 2,000 tractors, 10 state-of-the-art 330-horsepower combined harvesters, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, and over 9,000 complimentary implements alongside 9,000 sets of spare parts. These assets are a crucial component of a five-year agreement spanning from 2024 to 2029, established between the federal government of Nigeria and the Republic of Belarus. The supply of these 9,022 units of various agricultural mechanisation equipment and spare parts was approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2024, signaling a robust international partnership.

During the commissioning, President Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to driving farm mechanisation for national food security. He highlighted that the strategy encompasses year-round cultivation, aiming to significantly reduce Nigeria's historical vulnerability to seasonal tragedies. The president urged all stakeholders receiving the equipment to deploy them with maximum efficiency, stressing that his administration would supervise and hold them accountable. He envisioned Nigeria not merely achieving self-sufficiency but becoming a global agricultural powerhouse, supplying quality produce to international markets while ensuring affordable, nutritious food for every citizen.

Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, elaborated on the program's ambitious goals. He stated that the initiative is designed to bring over 550,000 hectares of farmland under cultivation, project to generate more than 2 million metric tons of staple food, create over 16,000 jobs, and directly benefit more than 550,000 farming households across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Beyond the delivery of equipment, the program offers a complex support system, including mandatory training for operators and mechanics, GPS-enabled tracking for transparency and accountability, a structured repayment and repossession framework, and financing facilitated through development and non-interest banks.

The Republic of Belarus affirmed its commitment to aiding Nigeria in bolstering its food security. Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister, Viktor Karankevich, attending the event with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov, underscored that the bilateral relations between the two countries would foster economic development. He stated that Belarusian equipment is renowned for its quality, affordability, and durability, being utilized in over 100 countries globally. Karankevich recalled the roadmap agreement signed during the 2024 Belagro Exhibition in Minsk, setting the foundation for joint agricultural mechanisation efforts. He also confirmed Belarus' readiness to advance to the second and third phases of the program, which include establishing service and maintenance centers for Belarusian machinery in Nigeria, setting up local assembly plants for agricultural equipment, constructing grain storage complexes, and providing comprehensive training for Nigerians on operating and maintaining advanced farming machinery. President Tinubu specifically acknowledged Alex Sigman, a Belarusian businessman and former classmate, for his pivotal role in facilitating this crucial collaboration.

In a separate, but equally vital event, President Tinubu also inaugurated the 15-kilometer A2–Pai Town Road in Kwali Area Council of the FCT. The president emphasized that rural connectivity is indispensable for driving national growth and prosperity, declaring that 'infrastructure means nothing if it is not developed for the benefit of the people.' This newly constructed road, extending from the A2 junction on the Abuja–Lokoja expressway to Pai Town, is symbolic of 'Renewed Hope' and strategic in opening new corridors for agriculture, commerce, education, and mobility, all essential for strengthening Nigeria's economy from the grassroots. On his way to Pai, the President observed the pressing need for grain farmers and livestock owners to establish grazing opportunities, stating his commitment to converting past liabilities and sources of conflict into means of prosperity.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was lauded by the president for prioritizing rural development and the commendable work in underserved areas. Wike reported that 150 kilometers of roads have been completed or are in progress across all six Area Councils of the FCT since the inception of the Tinubu administration. He highlighted the completion and commissioning of six emergency roads approved in the 2023 supplementary budget, which have transformed access and connectivity for rural populations. These roads, including Paikon-Kore–Ibwa, Gaba–Tokulo, and others, contribute significantly to food security, improve security response, and support socioeconomic inclusion by making isolated communities accessible for farmers and security agencies alike. The FCT administration is expanding development beyond the city center, focusing on roads and electricity access. The traditional ruler of Pai, Sarkin Pai Alhaji Sani Abubakar, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu and Minister Wike, affirming that the new road has unlocked numerous economic activities and significantly improved the lives of the community members.