Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially inaugurate the National Asset Restoration Programme this Sunday in Maiduguri, Borno State, as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural infrastructure and promote food security.
The launch event, taking place at the Borno State Agricultural Mechanization (BOSAMAN) Farm Centre, marks the beginning of the Tractor Recovery Project, a flagship initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The project aims to restore thousands of non-functional tractors across the North-East and beyond, with an initial rollout in Borno State. It is being implemented in partnership with Machine and Equipment Corporation Africa Limited (MECA) and is fully funded, managed, and executed by NASENI.
The Vice President will be joined at the ceremony by Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and other dignitaries.
According to available data, Nigeria has an estimated 55,000 broken-down tractors, while only 7,000 to 10,000 remain operational. This massive shortfall has contributed to low agricultural productivity, especially in rural areas.
The Tractor Restoration Project will see the complete overhaul of tractors—including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and structural components—making them fully functional for deployment to farming communities. The initiative not only addresses a critical gap in agricultural mechanization but also supports the broader goals of rural development and economic recovery.
This program signals a bold step towards strengthening Nigeria’s food systems using local engineering expertise and is expected to transform livelihoods across the country, beginning with the North-East.