Dangote Partners Niger Govt on Mega Rice Project to Boost Food Security, Job Creation
The Dangote Group has unveiled plans to establish one of Nigeria’s largest rice mills in Niger State, in a major public-private sector partnership aimed at strengthening food security, boosting agricultural production, and creating jobs.
Speaking at the 2025 Niger National Trade Fair in Minna, the conglomerate’s Senior Special Adviser to the President and Chief Executive Officer, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, said the rice mill project in Wushishi is progressing steadily and is expected to revolutionize rice production in the region.
“As part of our commitment to advancing agriculture, we plan to establish one of the largest rice mills here in Niger State. This project will enhance food security and generate significant employment opportunities for the state’s population,” she said.
The initiative falls under the Niger Food programme — a strategic collaboration between the Niger State Government and private sector partners like Dangote Group to drive large-scale agricultural development.
Fatima Wali Abdurrahman disclosed that the rice mill, designed with a capacity of 32 metric tonnes per hour, is being developed on a 30-hectare site and will feature state-of-the-art milling technology to reduce waste and improve output quality.
The facility is also expected to host 32 silos, each capable of storing 2,500 metric tons of paddy rice, as well as a captive power plant that will generate 5.8 megawatts of electricity to support operations.
She added that Dangote Group will source paddy rice from local farmers and serve as a 100 percent off-taker of the production at competitive market prices.
“This is not just about a mill; it’s about supporting local farmers with inputs like fertilisers and seedlings, and building a resilient agricultural value chain,” she noted.
Representing Governor Umar Muhammed Bago at the event, Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Aminu Suleiman Takuma, praised the partnership, describing it as a significant leap in the state’s quest to become a hub for commercial agriculture.
“The state is ready and open for business. We invite more private investors to explore the many opportunities in Niger State,” he said, adding that the state government plans to upgrade the Niger Trade Fair to international status.
President of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Dr Bisi Adeniyi, urged private sector actors to invest in agriculture, citing the vast land resources in the state.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, represented by Dr Suleiman Ladan, emphasized that commercial agriculture remains a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda, stressing that partnerships like the one between Dangote and Niger State are critical to achieving national food sufficiency.
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