The Niger State government, through Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Ltd., has signed a monumental N1.8 trillion guaranteed paddy rice production and offtake agreement with Dangote Rice Limited.

The agreement was formalized at the office of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, in Lagos. Under this pact, Niger Foods will supply high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice Limited, fostering sustainable agricultural development and enhancing food self-sufficiency in Nigeria.

Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, explained that the agreement mandates Niger State to develop 25,000 hectares of commercial rice farms and support 50,000 local farmers. This partnership, set for 10 years, is projected to create 50,000 direct jobs. Adigun also highlighted that the agreement will enable the state to leverage water from the Rivers Niger and Kaduna, along with other water sources, to significantly boost rice production.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, noted that the signing culminates a series of discussions aimed at promoting food production and ensuring food sufficiency in Nigeria. He detailed Dangote Group’s substantial investments in rice mills and plantations nationwide, emphasizing their role in creating employment throughout-grower schemes and promoting food self-sufficiency and security. Niger State now joins five other Nigerian states where Dangote has rice mills under construction.

Dangote underscored the importance of encouraging more private sector players to partner with governments in developing commercial agriculture, given that the private sector accounts for 90% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He reiterated that the private-public sector partnership model is fundamental for both parties to collectively address not only economic challenges but also social and political ones by providing jobs, livelihoods, and creating value chains that will significantly uplift the people.

Dangote commended the administration of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for its commendable work in agriculture, particularly its engagement in large-scale mechanized commercial farming of agricultural products, including paddy rice. He concluded that it was fitting to partner with the state to bring its agricultural vision to fruition.