Dangote Group, Niger State Forge Multi-Billion Naira Agricultural Alliance
By Patience Ikpeme
The Dangote Group and the Niger State Government are cultivating a multi-billion naira sectoral partnership to significantly boost agricultural output and enhance food security within the state.
The conglomerate has committed substantial investment to its rice production infrastructure in Niger State and is actively collaborating with the government on the “Niger Food” initiative.
The Niger Food initiative is a comprehensive agricultural development programme spearheaded by the Niger State Government, involving strategic alliances with private sector entities like the Dangote Group. This partnership aims to leverage the state’s vast agricultural potential to drive economic growth and job creation.
Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, Senior Special Adviser to the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, provided an update on the company’s state-of-the-art rice mill in Wushishi during the official opening of the 2025 Niger National Trade Fair. Speaking on Thursday at the event, themed “Commercial Agriculture as the Major Contributor to Sub National Economic Growth and National GDP,” in Minna, she confirmed the mill is “progressing steadily and on track for completion.”
“As part of our commitment to advancing agriculture, we plan to establish one of the largest rice mills here in Niger State,” Abdurrahman stated at the trade fair, which the Dangote Group helped sponsor. She conveyed that this initiative is projected to improve food security and create significant employment opportunities for the state’s population.
Abdurrahman further detailed the project’s broad impact, stating, “This landmark project represents a significant step forward in bolstering the food security initiatives of the State. Upon its delivery, the mill is expected to enhance local rice production, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the agricultural development of Nigeria.”
The new rice mill, a cutting-edge facility designed for high efficiency and minimal waste, boasts a capacity of 32 Metric Tonnes Per Hour (MTPH) and is being developed on a 30-hectare site. This will substantially increase rice production and storage capacity in Niger State. Once operational, it is expected to not only boost local rice production but also fortify the entire agricultural value chain, from farm to market.
Additionally, the project is anticipated to generate numerous employment opportunities and provide essential inputs like fertilizer and seedlings to local farmers, thereby contributing considerably to the state’s food security objectives. “We will source the rice from local out growers and act as 100% off takers of the production at competitive market prices,” Abdurrahman explained. The Dangote Rice Mill will also include an on-site captive power generation facility capable of producing 5.8 megawatts of electricity, aligning with broader efforts to reduce reliance on the national grid. Close to the Wushishi mill, the company is constructing 32 silos, each with a storage capacity of 2,500 metric tons of paddy rice.
Governor Umar Muhammed Bago, represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Aminu Suleiman Takuma, expressed the state government’s commitment to attracting significant investment in commercial agriculture. He commended the Dangote Group for its pioneering efforts and encouraged the conglomerate to capitalize on the numerous investment opportunities and the favorable business environment available in the state. Governor Bago also announced plans to elevate the Niger Trade Fair to an international event in the near future.
Earlier remarks at the event came from Dr. Bisi Adeniyi, President of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), who urged the private sector to utilize Niger State’s vast land resources by investing in agriculture. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, represented by Dr. Suleiman Ladan, added that commercial agriculture is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic development agenda.
The Dangote Group has a long history of significant investments in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, a strategy consistent with its vision of promoting local production and backward integration to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports. Over the years, the conglomerate has invested in various agricultural value chains, including sugar, flour, and now, significantly, rice. This focus aligns with national efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and create sustainable growth through domestic capacity building. The Wushishi rice mill is a key component of this ongoing commitment, promising to transform Niger State into a hub for rice production and processing, thereby creating jobs and supporting rural livelihoods.
