National News
FG Flags Off GEEP 3.0 FarmerMoni Enumeration in Abia, Inaugurates 17 LGA Desk Officers
The Abia State Government , in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has officially flagged off the enumeration of beneficiaries under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative in Umuahia, the state capital, while inaugurating and training desk officers across the state’s 17 local government areas.
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Speaking at the ceremony, the National Coordinator of GEEP, Hon. Ibrahim Hamzat Baba, described Abia as a state renowned for entrepreneurship and commended Governor Alex Otti for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.
He explained that FarmerMoni is one of the components of GEEP, alongside TraderMoni and MarketMoni, designed by the Federal Government to provide interest-free and collateral-free microloans to vulnerable Nigerians who ordinarily have limited access to conventional banking facilities.
According to him, FarmerMoni specifically targets smallholder farmers involved in crop cultivation, poultry, livestock production, fisheries and other agricultural activities, providing them with financial support to expand their operations and improve productivity.
He disclosed that eligible beneficiaries can access loans of up to ₦300,000 without interest or collateral, adding that the funds are intended to help farmers purchase seedlings, agricultural inputs, livestock feed and other essential materials.
Baba emphasised that FarmerMoni is a loan scheme, not a grant, explaining that repayment is expected to commence between six and nine months after disbursement.
He noted that the revolving nature of the programme would enable other farmers to benefit from the intervention as previous beneficiaries repay their loans.
The National Coordinator further explained that the programme prioritises women, young people and vulnerable farmers and is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Development Plan 2026–2030.
He charged the newly inaugurated local government desk officers to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, accuracy and accountability, stressing that only registered beneficiaries whose details have been verified should be enumerated.
He also warned the officers against demanding money from farmers, insisting that participation in the programme is free.
Baba urged them to treat farmers with dignity and ensure that women, youths and vulnerable groups are not excluded from the exercise.
He further cautioned the officers to handle the tablets provided for the exercise with care, explaining that the devices would also be used during subsequent enumeration exercises for TraderMoni and MarketMoni beneficiaries.
Commending the agricultural initiatives of the Abia State Government, he observed that Governor Otti’s administration had adopted a data-driven approach to agricultural development rather than relying solely on the distribution of farm inputs.
He particularly highlighted the state’s reported agricultural database system, farmer identification initiatives and the appointment of farm managers across the 17 local government areas.
Baba disclosed that the state had reached over 18,634 farmers through its agricultural support programme in July 2026, describing the development as a strong foundation for the successful implementation of FarmerMoni.
He encouraged the desk officers to collaborate with the state’s agricultural structures, including the appointed farm managers, to ensure that genuine farmers in rural communities are reached.
In her remarks, the Abia State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix welcomed the NSIPA delegation and appreciated the Federal Government for extending the intervention to farmers in the state.
The Ministry noted that agriculture remains a major source of livelihood for many Abia households but observed that inadequate access to affordable financing continues to limit the ability of smallholder farmers to expand production and acquire essential agricultural inputs.
It described FarmerMoni as a timely intervention that would complement the agricultural development efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration by providing farmers with additional financial opportunities.
The Ministry also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for smallholder farmers, while appreciating the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her efforts towards supporting women, young people and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope initiative.
It disclosed that NSIPA’s national office had completed the online revalidation of 1,160 farmers in Abia State, with the next phase involving a 20-day physical field enumeration exercise across the 17 local government areas.
The exercise, according to the Ministry, will involve physical verification of beneficiaries, documentation of their farming activities and collection of relevant information for further assessment under the programme.
The Ministry, however, clarified that enumeration does not automatically guarantee approval or disbursement of loans, urging farmers to provide accurate information and cooperate with the designated officers.
It also called on the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the Agricultural Development Programme and other relevant stakeholders to support the exercise by facilitating access to farming communities.
The Ministry reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to creating opportunities that would improve livelihoods, strengthen agricultural productivity and promote economic independence, particularly in rural communities.
Also speaking, the South-East Coordinator of GEEP, Mrs Ifeoma Mba, described the assignment as a serious responsibility and urged the newly inaugurated officers to approach their duties with dedication and professionalism.
She encouraged them to work closely with the State Programme Manager, who would provide the necessary guidance and direction throughout the exercise.
Mba also issued a stern warning against collecting money from farmers under any guise, stressing that no beneficiary should be made to pay before or during the enumeration process.
“Do us proud in this assignment,” she charged the officers.
In her vote of thanks, the State Programme Manager, Mrs Ucheoma Udor, urged the desk officers to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and commitment to the success of the programme.
She charged them to ensure that eligible farmers across the 17 local government areas benefit from the initiative, while maintaining accuracy and transparency throughout the enumeration exercise.
The 17 local government desk officers, selected to represent their respective councils, were subsequently trained and equipped with tablets and power banks to facilitate their field assignments
Isaac Ugwu Consultant GEEP Southeast facilitated the training
Among government officials present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ada Ukandu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Meg Onwu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu; and other top government functionaries.
The GEEP 3.0 FarmerMoni initiative is expected to strengthen access to agricultural financing, support smallholder farmers and contribute to im
proved food production and economic empowerment across Abia State.