By Muhammad B. Muhammad
In a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s food security and expand local rice production, Dangote Rice Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, has signed a major purchase and sale agreement with Niger State Government-owned Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited.
The agreement, signed at the Dangote Group headquarters in Lagos, will ensure the steady supply of paddy rice from Niger Foods to Dangote Rice. Under the partnership, Niger Foods will engage in large-scale mechanized and commercial farming, focusing on the production and development of agricultural commodities, particularly paddy rice.
Welcoming the delegation led by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, described the partnership as a significant step toward achieving food self-sufficiency in Nigeria, mirroring the success already recorded in cement production and oil refining.
He praised Niger Foods as a forward-looking rice farming and processing company with shared goals. “We both envision building an efficient and profitable agricultural value chain that contributes to national food sufficiency. We commend Governor Bago and his administration for this aligned vision,” Dangote stated.
He noted that the collaboration will enable the supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice’s processing plants and bolster efforts toward sustainable agriculture and food sufficiency.
Dangote revealed that Dangote Rice has made substantial investments in rice mills and plantations across several states. He emphasized that this venture aims to empower farmers through an out-grower scheme, generate employment, and drive national food security.
He also highlighted the critical role of the private sector in agricultural development, urging more companies to partner with governments to drive commercial agriculture, given the sector’s contribution of about 90% to Nigeria’s GDP.
With the signing of this agreement, Niger State joins other states—Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Nasarawa—where Dangote Rice has ongoing mill construction projects.
According to him, the Dangote Group plans to off-take one million metric tons of paddy rice from Nigerian farmers by the end of 2026. This initiative is expected to solidify the country’s rice supply chain and assure local farmers of a consistent and reliable buyer.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Bago expressed gratitude to Dangote for embracing the partnership. He stated that Niger State possesses abundant arable land and water resources, providing a comparative advantage in agriculture. His administration, he said, is aggressively seeking investors in rice production to modernize farming and boost food output.
“We are shifting our people from primitive farming to modern, mechanized agriculture. We’ve signed an MoU with Lagos State for food off-take, and we’re also engaging Turkish investors. Feeding ourselves is a top priority, and this partnership is a vital step,” Bago added.
Thabo Mabe, Managing Director of Dangote Rice, who signed the agreement on behalf of the company, described the event as a milestone for Nigeria’s rice sector.
“This partnership will excite rice consumers. It brings us closer to self-reliance in food production,” he said.
Also speaking, Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, noted that the agreement is expected to unlock over N18 trillion in long-term revenue. He added that the project involves cultivating thousands of hectares and directly supporting over 5,000 farmers within the agricultural value chain.
The partnership marks a significant advancement in Nigeria’s quest for food independence and a stronger agricultural economy.
Sahel Reporters News
