The Federal Government has launched the Sustainable Integrated Productive Communities (SIPC), an initiative designed to address food security, affordable housing, rural stability and job creation, with Niger State selected for the pilot phase.
The programme integrates mass housing, agriculture, renewable energy and enterprise development into a single framework.
The Ministry of Finance will serve as the anchor institution, states are expected to provide land and local support, while the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) will drive asset optimisation and private capital mobilisation.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Niger State Government, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, described the agreement as a milestone in translating policy into action, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the initiative demonstrates cooperative federalism and a shared commitment to inclusive economic development.
Uzoka-Anite explained that the Niger pilot will feature integrated farming and housing estates located close to production areas, storage, processing facilities and markets, enabling farmers to settle securely and improve productivity.
She noted that the model goes beyond housing delivery by strengthening livelihoods and boosting food production.
She added that SIPC adopts an innovative financing structure that blends public assets with private investment, allowing the government to focus on policy and oversight.
Renewable energy infrastructure, particularly solar-powered systems and mini-grids to be deployed by the Rural Electrification Agency, will support agro-processing, storage and household energy needs.
According to the minister, the mass housing component will stimulate economic activity by creating jobs across construction, agriculture, agro-processing, logistics and related services, while strengthening rural economies and internally generated revenue.
She described the model as scalable and replicable nationwide.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, pledged the state’s full commitment, announcing that 100,000 hectares of land would be allocated for the pilot, with certificates of occupancy to be handed over to the Federal Government.
He said clustering farmers in planned settlements would address insecurity, rural–urban migration, poor infrastructure, post-harvest losses and youth disengagement from agriculture.
Managing Director of MOFI, Armstrong Takang, said the initiative would take governance closer to local communities by leveraging public assets to attract private capital, ensure transparency and deliver measurable outcomes.
He disclosed that each housing unit built is expected to generate at least 12 full-time jobs.
Key federal agencies involved in the programme include Family Homes Funds Limited, the Rural Electrification Agency and Niger Foods Limited, which will provide expertise in housing delivery, renewable energy and agricultural value chain development.
