Niger State Government has announced plans to deploy Artificial Intelligence technology to improve agriculture and healthcare services in line with global best practices.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago disclosed this during the Niger State Government side event at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
The governor, popularly referred to as the farmer governor, explained that his administration is determined to attract more investors into the state with the aim of improving the lives of citizens. He emphasized that working with development partners remains key to changing the narrative in Nigeria.
According to him, “Niger State will work closely with development partners on how to improve and apply technology into the agric sector to enable the state to realise its goal of food sufficiency.”
Governor Bago added that with the adoption of advanced technology, Niger State will within the next two years clear 2.5 million hectares of land for crop production. He noted that the state will also be opened up for contract farming with Nigerians in the diaspora through foreign investment.
He further explained that his government will continue to explore the comparative advantage Niger State has in agriculture to drive transformative change and strengthen the value chain.
Speaking on the health sector, Governor Bago said his administration will partner with stakeholders to deploy artificial intelligence for the provision of telemedicine across all Primary Healthcare Centres in the state. “The target is to ensure the provision of healthcare services effectively to more people in remote areas,” he stated.
At the event, the Group Executive Director of the World Bank, Zainab Ahmed, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammad Sani Dattijo, and the former Deputy Governor of CBN, Hajiya Aisha Ahmad Ndanusa, commended Governor Bago for his New Niger agenda.
They described the governor’s plans as visionary and pledged their support to ensure that the transformation drive, especially in the agricultural sector, receives the required backing to succeed.
The Niger State Government side event at the United Nations General Assembly was held under the theme, “Bridging the Gap; Subnational Development, Human Capital and Agric Transformation,” and featured sessions highlighting challenges and opportunities for sustainable growth.