The Dangote Group has launched a multi-billion naira agricultural partnership with the Niger State Government, marking a significant step towards enhancing rice production and securing food self-sufficiency in Nigeria.
Announced at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Niger National Trade Fair in Minna, the partnership was revealed by Fatima Abdurrahman, Senior Special Adviser to the President of Dangote Group. She disclosed that the conglomerate is investing heavily in a 32-metric tonnes per hour rice mill situated in Wushishi, Niger State.
The rice mill, currently under construction on a 30-hectare site, forms a key component of the Niger Food Initiative, an agricultural development plan launched by the Niger State Government in collaboration with private sector players. The project is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed soon.
“As part of our commitment to advancing agriculture, we plan to establish one of the largest rice mills here in Niger State,” said Abdurrahman. “This state-of-the-art facility ensures high efficiency, minimal waste, and premium-quality output.”
According to her, the project incorporates cutting-edge rice milling technology and will significantly enhance rice storage and production capacities in the region. The rice mill will be equipped with 32 silos, each with a capacity of 2,500 metric tonnes of paddy rice, ensuring robust storage infrastructure.
Additionally, the facility will have a captive power generation plant producing 5.8 megawatts of electricity, a move aimed at supporting uninterrupted operations and reducing reliance on the national grid.
Abdurrahman emphasised that the Dangote Group will serve as 100% off-takers for rice produced by local farmers through the out-grower model, providing crucial inputs like fertilisers and seedlings. “The goal is to empower local farmers, generate employment, and contribute to national agricultural development,” she stated.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain, from cultivation to market, offering smallholder farmers access to sustainable markets and support systems.
Representing Governor Mohammed Bago, Aminu Takuma, Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, lauded the Dangote Group’s commitment and encouraged further investment. “Niger State is open for business, and we have created a favourable environment for private investors,” he said. He also revealed plans to elevate the Niger Trade Fair to an international standard event, showcasing the state’s investment potential to a global audience.
Dr. Bisi Adeniyi, President of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, echoed similar sentiments, calling on other private sector stakeholders to explore the vast agricultural opportunities available in the state.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, represented by Dr. Suleiman Ladan, reaffirmed that commercial agriculture is at the heart of President Bola Tinubu’s economic development strategy. He noted that such partnerships are crucial to actualising the government’s goals of food security and rural development.
The Dangote rice mill project is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, improve rural livelihoods, and increase local rice production, thereby reducing Nigeria’s dependency on rice imports.
This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to modernise agriculture, encourage agribusiness investment, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient agricultural powerhouse
