Muhammad Garba
The Director General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), Dr. Saifullahi Umar, has added yet another accolade to his growing list of recognitions as he received a distinguished Merit Award from the Arewa Investigative Journalists Nigeria.
The honour, presented after an independent assessment across Northern Nigeria, celebrates individuals whose leadership, integrity, and service to the public have made significant and measurable impact. Dr. Umar emerged prominently among the recipients, reflecting the transformative achievements recorded by JATA under his stewardship.
According to the awarding body, Dr. Umar’s leadership stands out for its selfless devotion to community welfare and his strategic contributions to agricultural development in Jigawa State. Through JATA, he has championed far-reaching reforms that continue to reposition the agricultural sector, improve farmers’ productivity, and strengthen the state’s rural economy.
In his appreciation remark, Dr. Saifullahi Umar described the recognition as both an honour and a call to greater service. He reaffirmed that the mandate of JATA has always been driven by sincerity of purpose and an unwavering commitment to the people of Jigawa State.
“When we began this work, our focus was simply to serve the people of Jigawa State. We never set out with the expectation of receiving awards,” he said. “This recognition is not just for me—it is a wake-up call for my entire team to work harder, smarter, and with renewed dedication to supporting our farmers and fulfilling the vision of His Excellency, the Governor.”
Under Dr. Umar’s direction, JATA continues to align its initiatives with the agricultural transformation agenda of the Jigawa State Government, led by His Excellency Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA—an agenda that seeks to boost productivity, strengthen food systems, and promote sustainability across all agricultural value chains.
The award further cements Dr. Umar’s reputation as a committed public servant and a leading voice in agricultural innovation and rural development, both within Jigawa State and beyond. It also highlights the growing national appreciation for the strides Jigawa is making in modernizing its agricultural landscape.
JATA Public Affairs Unit
