In a landmark public-private partnership aimed at scaling Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, Dangote Group and the Niger State Government are collaborating on a multi-billion-naira initiative to transform the state into a major hub for commercial rice production and agro-industrial processing.
Unveiled at the 2025 Niger National Trade Fair in Minna, the partnership forms part of the Niger Food Initiative—a bold agricultural development programme launched by the State Government to boost food security, industrial output, and job creation. Dangote Group’s participation is anchored by the construction of a state-of-the-art 32 Metric Tonnes Per Hour (MTPH) rice mill in Wushishi, one of the most ambitious agro-industrial facilities in the region.
“This is not just another rice mill—it’s a game-changing infrastructure project that will deepen rural prosperity, strengthen the rice value chain, and reposition Niger State as a model of agribusiness excellence,” said Fatima Abdurrahman, Senior Special Adviser to the President and CEO of Dangote Group.
RICE: From Farm to Fortune
Sitting on a 30-hectare site, the cutting-edge rice mill will integrate high-capacity processing lines, automated grading systems, and a captive 5.8MW power generation plant—ensuring energy independence and operational efficiency.
Key features of the mill project include:
- 100% off-take arrangement from local rice out-growers at market-driven prices
- Supply of farm inputs such as fertilizer and seedlings to boost smallholder yields
- Support for over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs across farming, processing, logistics, and retail
- Reduction in post-harvest losses through modern storage and handling systems
Dangote’s vision aligns closely with Nigeria’s food security mandate and the Federal Government’s drive to cut rice importation, strengthen local processing, and boost national GDP through agriculture.
Niger State: Nigeria’s New Agribusiness Frontier
Governor Umar Bago, represented by Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Aminu Takuma, said the state is creating an enabling environment for strategic agricultural investments. According to him, Niger is leveraging its vast arable land, strategic location, and policy incentives to attract agro-industrial giants like Dangote.
“We are building an investor-friendly ecosystem, and Dangote Group is a cornerstone partner. Our goal is to make the Niger Trade Fair a global investment platform,” said the Governor.
The government has also committed to developing supporting infrastructure such as access roads, irrigation networks, and security architecture around investment zones.
Private Sector as Catalyst
Dr Bisi Adeniyi, President of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), called on Nigeria’s private sector to seize the opportunity presented by Niger’s 8 million hectares of cultivable land.
“This is more than a trade fair. It is a call to action—to transform Nigerian agriculture from subsistence to scale, from survival to wealth creation,” Adeniyi declared.
BRANDECONOMY Insight
This partnership is a defining moment for agro-industrialisation in Nigeria. While many state governments are still bogged down by rhetoric and red tape, Niger State is taking a proactive, deal-driven approach to agricultural development. With Dangote Group providing the scale, capital, and logistics muscle, this initiative could significantly boost Nigeria’s local rice production, reduce dependence on imports, and unlock shared prosperity in rural communities.
The Wushishi rice mill could become the anchor project in a larger agricultural industrial corridor, serving as a model for other states.
Bottom Line:
Public-private partnerships like this one are Nigeria’s best bet for achieving food sovereignty, creating jobs, and building globally competitive agro-value chains.
