4 Months After Tinubu’s ₦50bn Tractor Launch, Machines Remain Unused Amid Bureaucratic Delays.

Nearly four months after President Bola Tinubu launched ₦50 billion worth of tractors and farm machinery to boost food production, the equipment remains idle at the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) headquarters, exposing yet another case of stalled agricultural reform and bureaucratic inertia.

The President had unveiled 2,000 tractors, 2,000 disc ploughs and harrows, 1,000 ridgers, 1,200 trailers, 500 seed drills, and other implements under his Renewed Hope agricultural initiative, promising nationwide deployment to empower farmers and create jobs for youths.

“We are taking a monumental leap forward with the introduction of state-of-the-art agricultural equipment… This is a bold step towards achieving complete agricultural independence,” Tinubu had said during the launch attended by Belarusian officials.

However, months later, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says it is still awaiting Presidential directives on distribution, delaying deployment ahead of the farming season. Ministry insiders told The Guardian that operations have slowed and that only the Presidency dictates the pace.

Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari had earlier outlined three deployment models — direct sales, leasing, and tractor service centres — aimed at giving farmers affordable access and boosting productivity. But the plan has stalled, leaving farmers burdened by high labour and input costs.

Vice President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Daniel Okafor, confirmed that farmers are still waiting for updates.

“We were very happy at the launch, but we are still waiting and monitoring the sharing formula,” he said.

Professor Simon Tuange of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University warned that if the tractors are not deployed soon, they may miss the current farming season.
“Agriculture without mechanisation is like a vehicle without wheels,” he said, urging the government to establish maintenance workshops alongside deployment to prevent waste.

Universities Shut Down Nationwide as Lecturers Dare Tinubu Government.

According to a report by The Punch on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, academic activities were paralysed across public universities nationwide on Monday as the Academic Staff Union of Universities commenced a two-week warning strike over unmet demands by the Federal Government.

ASUU president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the strike in Abuja on Sunday, following a breakdown in negotiations.

In immediate response, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, ordered vice-chancellors to enforce a no-work-no-pay policy and submit attendance lists of academic staff within seven days.

The Nigeria Labour Congress rejected the directive, describing it as intimidation. NLC president, Joe Ajaero, warned that failure to heed ASUU’s demands after the strike would trigger broader labour action.

Universities nationwide reported total compliance. At Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, branch chairman Haruna Jibril said the strike reflected years of accumulated frustration. Lecture halls were deserted, with students seen loitering in groups.

A similar situation played out at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; the University of Uyo; University of Ibadan; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; University of Jos and Plateau State University, Bokkos.

At some institutions, examinations were disrupted. At Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, only Veterinary Medicine students had pending papers. At Olabisi Onabanjo University and Tai Solarin University of Education, lecturers vowed to remain off duty until their demands were met.

Despite threats of withheld salaries, ASUU members insisted they were prepared to endure hardship to protect the future of public education. Piwuna dismissed attempts at division, stating: “Nobody can threaten us. We are victims, just like students.”