Niger State Governor, Umar Bago
By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, fondly nicknamed the “Farmer Governor,” has been making waves with his unwavering support for agriculture in the state. His commitment to boosting agricultural production and empowering local farmers is truly commendable.
One of his notable initiatives is the inauguration of rice processing mills in Niger State, under the Nigeria For Women Project, which aims to empower women and boost local economies. This project has established 41 processing mills across the state, providing a significant boost to rice production and job creation.
Governor Bago has also demonstrated his dedication to community welfare through various groundbreaking initiatives, earning him praise from his constituents . His administration’s efforts to promote agriculture and support local farmers have been instrumental in driving economic growth and development in Niger State.
The “Farmer Governor” has presented a budget proposal of over N1.5 trillion for 2025, with a focus on sustainability and food security. This move is expected to further solidify agriculture as a cornerstone of the state’s economy.
He has made notable achievements in the area of education. One of his significant accomplishments is being recognized as the Digital Governor of the Year in the digital literacy category at the 2024 Nigeria GOVTECH Conference and Awards .
Some of his notable initiatives include:Digital Literacy Programs: Training market traders and artisans in technology use through Hausa and Pidgin English.
STEM Education: Training children aged 10 to 18 in robotics, the Internet of Things, and programming.
IT Training for Civil Servants: Partnering with Tech4Dev to provide IT training for civil servants.eCommerce Skills for SMEs: Collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to equip SMEs with eCommerce skills to boost exports. Scholarship Initiatives: Introducing scholarship programs to support students in achieving quality education, contributing to the attainment of SDG 4.
These initiatives demonstrate Governor Bago’s commitment to improving education in Niger State and promoting digital literacy among its citizens.
Mohammed Umar Bago is a Nigerian politician and former banker who currently serves as the Governor of Niger State, Nigeria, assuming office on May 29, 2023. Born in Minna, Niger State, to a Nupe family, he previously held the position of Member of the House of Representatives representing the Chanchaga Federal Constituency. Bago emerged as the winner of the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Niger State, defeating Isah Liman Kantigi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Born in 1974, Hon. Umar Bago attended Marafa Primary School in Minna and Federal Government College in Jos. He obtained his West Africa School Certificate from WAEC and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science from Usman Danfodio University in Sokoto.
Bago holds several postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees, including a postgraduate diploma in management from the Federal University of Technology Minna in 2001, an MBA in economics from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, in 2003, and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Calabar in 2005. He is also a distinguished alumnus of Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, having completed a program there in 2014.
Bago’s professional career started in the banking sector, where he worked for notable institutions such as United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Afri-Bank PLC. He served as a manager at First City Monument Bank before venturing into politics in 2007.
In the political arena, Bago gained prominence when he contested for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly, finishing second to Femi Gbajabiamila. He expressed his determination not to back down, aiming to rectify what he perceived as a mistake made by party leaders regarding zoning.
Bago served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration. In 2016, he advised the management of the Maritime Commission to terminate the employment of 83 staff members, criticizing the irregular hiring process and emphasizing the need for proper financial management within the commission. He won the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary elections in Niger State in preparation for the 2023 general elections. Ultimately, he emerged as the winner of the gubernatorial election, securing a total of 469,896 votes, while his closest rival, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi, received 387,476 votes.
To enhance the educational quality within his constituency, as a lawmaker, Bago distributed 1,000 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms to his constituents. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic period, he provided 11 trailer loads of rice as palliative support to the people in his constituency.
