Sa’idu Yakubu, a 45-year-old agro-dealer and farmer from Nassarawa Bagadawa in Kano State, Nigeria, is a shining example of how strategic partnerships can unlock potential and drive meaningful change. With only a primary school education, Sa’idu once saw farming as his sole path in life. However, his journey shows that, with the right support, even the most modest beginnings can experience a profound transformation.
For years, Sa’idu operated a small agro-input business, offering spraying services to fewer than 50 farmers annually. His income, only 200,000 naira (approximately U.S. $120) per season, barely covered his family’s needs, and opportunities for growth seemed out of his reach. Like many small-scale entrepreneurs, Sa’idu struggled with limited access to resources.
In 2023, HortiNigeria connected Sa’idu and his farmer group to LAPO Microfinance Bank, a partnership that marked the start of significant growth. Through LAPO, Sa’idu secured a loan of 800,000 naira (approximately U.S. $480) during the dry season (November to March), enabling him to scale his agro-dealership and farming operations. With this financial boost, he increased his inventory and began offering a wider range of fertilizers, seeds, and other essential inputs. This expansion not only strengthened his business but also positioned him as a reliable partner for farmers in his community.
The impact of the loan was immediate and far-reaching. Sa’idu’s customer base grew by 300% within a year, and his annual revenue more than tripled to 700,000 naira (approximately U.S. $420) per season.
The loan also allowed Sa’idu to diversify his income streams, bolstering his resilience during lean periods and ensuring he could consistently meet farmers’ needs.
One of the most inspiring aspects of this journey is how Sa’idu used his newfound success to uplift others. Recognizing the challenges women farmers face in accessing credit, he extended his support by offering them inputs on credit. With this assistance, the women collectively increased their yields, fostering food and nutrition security in the community.
Sa’idu’s connection with LAPO didn’t just expand his business—it redefined his role in the community. Today, he employs three people, injecting cash into the local economy. His increased income has also allowed him to improve his children’s education so that they have opportunities he once believed were out of reach.
Sa’idu’s story shows the critical role financial institutions play in empowering small-scale entrepreneurs. By facilitating tailored financial solutions, HortiNigeria’s partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank has allowed Sa’idu to overcome barriers and scaled his operations, creating a ripple effect of positive change in his community.
The HortiNigeria program (2021-2025), funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, aims to facilitate the development of a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector that contributes to food and nutrition security in Nigeria. HortiNigeria is led by IFDC and implemented together with KIT Institute, Wageningen University and Research, and East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation.
