Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has called on economic migrants from the state living in Abuja to return home and explore the thriving agricultural sector.

A National Bureau of Statistics record shows that Jigawa has struggled with high unemployment rates in recent years.

As of 2023, the state’s unemployment rate stood at 23.1%, significantly higher than the national average.

The high unemployment rate in Jigawa has contributed to the outflow of economic migrants to other parts of the country in search of better opportunities, as many residents, particularly youths, have been forced to leave their homes in search of greener pastures, often ending up in cities like Kano, Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, among others.

The governor made this appeal during a visit by a group of Jigawa economic migrants to his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

Namadi, while speaking in a video clip of the event sighted by  reporters in Jigawa on Friday, highlighted the significant progress made in Jigawa’s agricultural sector.

In the clip, Namadi told the group of Abuja-based Jigawa economic migrants to come back home and stay.

“We have improved agriculture; we have created jobs in Jigawa… because in Jigawa now, in Jigawa today, anyone who lives in Jigawa will not lose the business he will do; look at how we are doing agriculture and business,” he added.

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Namadi, who emphasised that Jigawa now offers numerous job opportunities in agriculture, eliminating the need for residents to seek employment in other towns, also encouraged the migrants to return home and take advantage of these opportunities.

He stated further that his administration has launched a new agriculture policy, focusing on mechanisation and irrigation infrastructure to boost food security and create employment opportunities. “This initiative aims to position Jigawa as a hub for agro-industrial activities in Nigeria and West Africa,” he said.

However, the governor commended the migrants for their discipline and dedication to preserving Jigawa’s dignity while living in Abuja, urging them (the migrants) to return home and contribute to the state’s development, citing the potential for doubled earnings in Jigawa compared to Abuja.

According to him, Jigawa’s agricultural sector has tremendous potential, with the state producing crops like sesame seeds, rice, and wheat.

Namadi further appealed to economic migrants to think of beginning a new chapter in Jigawa’s development, adding, “With its thriving agricultural sector and growing economy, the state is poised for significant growth and progress.”

On their part, the visiting migrants in the sighted video clip expressed their gratitude for the governor’s programmes supporting businesses and employment.

They said that many of them have received messages to join initiatives like the summer farming programme and school security, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to empowering its citizens.

The migrants praised the governor’s efforts, stating that they have benefitted from his programmes and are eager to return home and contribute to Jigawa’s development.