MINNA, NIGERIA — In a major move to bolster national food security and accelerate regional industrialization, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has solidified a strategic multi-billion naira partnership with the Niger State Government. The collaboration aims to drive massive economic opportunities, enhance local manufacturing capacity, and establish Niger State as a primary agricultural hub in Nigeria.
The cornerstone of this collaboration is a newly signed 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dangote Rice Limited and the state-backed agriculture intervention agency, Niger Foods. Under the agreement, Dangote Rice Limited has committed to a guaranteed off-take of one million metric tons of paddy rice over the next decade to boost national food sufficiency.
To fulfill this massive supply chain requirement, Niger Foods will develop 25,000 hectares of commercial rice farms across the state. According to Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, the agricultural expansion is projected to create at least 50,000 direct jobs, providing a substantial economic lifeline to local communities and smallholder out-growers.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure in Wushishi
Central to this industrial push is the development of an ultra-modern Dangote Rice Mill located in Wushishi. Spanning a 30-hectare site, the facility is designed to process 32 metric tonnes of rice per hour (MTPH), making it one of the largest processing facilities of its kind in the region.
To ensure uninterrupted processing operations and mitigate local power grid challenges, the project incorporates a 5.8-megawatt captive power plant. The facility will also house 32 massive storage silos, each capable of holding 2,500 metric tonnes of paddy rice to maintain a steady inventory.
Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, Senior Special Adviser to the President of the Dangote Group, confirmed that construction is progressing steadily and is on track for completion.
“This state-of-the-art facility ensures high efficiency, minimal waste, and premium-quality output,” Wali-Abdurrahman stated. “Once operational, it will significantly enhance local rice production, support Nigeria’s food security drive, and strengthen the entire agricultural value chain from farm to market.”
Promoting Public-Private Partnerships
The strengthening of economic ties coincides with the 22nd Niger National Trade Fair, which officially opened on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The Dangote Group is serving as the premier sponsor of the event, running under the theme: “Public-Private Partnership as the Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Stability.”
Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, emphasized that the conglomerate remains deeply committed to unlocking Nigeria’s vast economic potential through sustainable investments and deepening grassroots economic development.
Local business leaders have widely lauded the initiative. Representatives of the Niger Chamber of Commerce highlighted the Dangote Group as a premier catalyst for industrialization, not only in Nigeria but across the African continent, urging other indigenous firms to take the lead and invest heavily in domestic production.
A Blueprint for Food Sufficiency
This partnership aligns closely with federal initiatives aimed at transforming commercial agriculture and scaling down Nigeria’s reliance on food imports. By positioning itself as a 100 percent off-taker, the Dangote Group aims to provide a guaranteed, reliable market for local farmers while supporting them with essential agricultural inputs like high-yield seedlings and fertilizers to optimize production.
As the Wushishi mill nears its final stages of completion, the alliance between Africa’s wealthiest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and the Niger State Government stands as a definitive blueprint for how public-private synergy can address the country’s pressing economic and food security demands.
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