J-Agro Workers Seek Permanent Jobs After Two Years Of Service In Jigawa

More than 1,700 agricultural extension workers under Jigawa State‘s J-Agro programme have called on the state government to absorb them into the civil service after two years of providing support to farmers and livestock owners across the state.

The workers made the call while marking the second anniversary of the programme in Hadejia Local Government Area, where they planted 500 trees and launched a free livestock vaccination campaign.

The association’s secretary, Aminu Musa, said the trees include 400 regular and 100 economic trees, planted to help tackle desertification, soil erosion and the growing impact of climate change.

He said the workers would continue to support farmers and livestock owners while contributing to the state’s agricultural development agenda.

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The J-Agro programme currently has 1,735 graduates and diploma holders trained mainly in agriculture and veterinary-related fields. They were recruited by the state government to strengthen agricultural extension services at the grassroots.

After two years on casual appointments, the workers say permanent employment will give them greater job security and allow them to build on the experience they have gained while working directly with farming communities.

Representing the Director-General of the Jigawa Agricultural Development Agency, Dr Jibrin Gambo, a consultant with the agency, said the state government was committed to the programme and would work towards converting the workers to permanent and pensionable staff before the end of the administration.

He commended the workers for combining agricultural extension services with tree planting and free livestock vaccination, describing the initiatives as important to Jigawa’s efforts to improve food production and protect the environment.

The workers also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umar Namadi, pledging to mobilise support for the governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

With Jigawa heavily dependent on agriculture, stakeholders say stronger investment in extension services, environmental protection and livestock health remains critical to improving productivity and strengthening food security in the state and Nigeria as a whole.