Alhaji Danladi Garba, National Chairman of the Tractor Owners & Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN), announced that Nigeria possesses fewer than 7,000 fully operational tractors. He shared this assessment during a press address at TOHFAN's headquarters in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Garba highlighted the severe shortage by explaining that when 7,000 tractors are distributed across Nigeria's 37 regions (36 states plus the FCT), each area would have approximately 180 to 200 machines. He noted that very few states can claim this capacity, with only six — including Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina and Kano — maintaining such numbers.
The association leader emphasised that current tractor density falls dramatically short of requirements. In a 100-kilometre radius, Nigeria has fewer than seven tractors, compared to Kenya's twenty-seven. This disparity underscores that the nation requires roughly 60,000 more tractors to achieve food security.
Addressing the challenge, Garba advocated for privatising the sector rather than relying on government procurement. He criticised past models where government-financed tractors defaulted on loan payments, and called upon financial institutions and equipment vendors to partner with TOHFAN to advance mechanisation through private investment.
