The Federal Government Is Set To Begin The Disbursement Of Interest-Free Loans To Smallholder Farmers And Entrepreneurs Nationwide Before The End Of 2025.
Hamza Ibrahim Baba, The National Programme Manager Of The Government Enterprise And Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Announced This On Friday During An Engagement With Traders’ Associations And Stakeholders In Kaduna State’s Informal Business Sector.
He Stated That The Loans, Which Can Reach Up To N100,000 Per Beneficiary, Will Be Provided Through The FarmerMoni Scheme Under GEEP. The Initiative Aims To Support Small-Scale Farmers Engaged In Poultry, Aquaculture, Livestock Rearing, And Crop Production.
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“This Pilot Phase Will Support Farmers Nationwide, Including Those In Kaduna State. Beneficiaries Will Enjoy A Six-Month Moratorium To Enable Them To Produce Before Commencing Repayment. The Funds Will Assist Them In Acquiring Inputs Such As Fertilisers, Livestock, Veterinary Drugs, And Other Essential Tools,” Baba Explained.
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Baba Emphasized That The Programme, Managed By The Federal Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation, Is Among The Flagship Projects Under The National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
He Further Noted That GEEP Offers Collateral-Free, Interest-Free Loans To Micro-Enterprises, Petty Traders, Artisans, Youth Entrepreneurs, And Farmers, With The Goal Of Scaling Up Businesses And Promoting Financial Inclusion.
According To Baba, GEEP Operates Three Core Schemes: TraderMoni, Targeting Youths Aged 18 To 45 In Petty Trade; MarketMoni, Focused On Women Engaged In Small-Scale Trading; And FarmerMoni, Designed For Rural Farmers.
“These Are Not Grants; They Are Loans, But Interest-Free. The Objective Is To Empower Nigerians At The Bottom Of The Pyramid, Facilitate Their Integration Into The Formal Financial System, And Ultimately Generate Employment Opportunities,” He Added.
The Coordinator Highlighted That The Loan Amounts Range From N5,000 To N100,000 Depending On The Specific Scheme, And Are Structured To Ensure Sustainability Through Monitoring And Evaluation.
He Urged Traders’ Associations And Cooperatives To Collaborate Closely With GEEP Desk Officers And Field Enumerators Across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas To Guarantee That Only Eligible Beneficiaries Receive Support.
“The Success Of This Programme Depends On Transparency And Accurate Targeting. We Want To Reach Those Who Truly Need Assistance, Not Individuals Seeking To Exploit The System,” Baba Stressed.
Assuring Stakeholders Of The Federal Government’s Commitment, Baba Said The Tinubu Administration Aims To Expand All GEEP Schemes Nationwide. He Noted That The Pilot Farmer Intervention Will Serve As A Foundation For A Broader Rollout In 2026.
He Acknowledged The Contributions Of Previous Administrations And Ministers To GEEP Since Its Launch In 2016, And Highlighted Ongoing Reforms To Improve Delivery And Accountability.
“GEEP Also Collaborates With Other NSIP Components, Including The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, And Grants For Vulnerable Groups. These Initiatives Are Designed To Reduce Poverty And Enhance Livelihoods Across Nigeria,” Baba Added.
In Response, Beneficiaries Expressed Gratitude To The Federal Government. Hauwa Musa Noted That The Support Had A Significant Impact On Her Business, Enabling Expansion. Meanwhile, Mallam Umar Usman, Yet To Receive Assistance, Expressed Hope Of Being Included In The Upcoming GEEP 3.0 Phase.
Market Leaders And Stakeholders Also Commended The Federal Government For Providing Interest-Free Support To Entrepreneurs. They Pledged To Work Closely With GEEP Desk Officers To Ensure Fair Distribution And Guarantee That Assistance Reaches Those Who Truly Need It.
