By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has unveiled plans to plant 10 million shea trees across the state as part of...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has unveiled plans to plant 10 million shea trees across the state as part of efforts to boost shea butter production and strengthen the state’s position as Nigeria’s hub for shea nut cultivation and processing.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, popularly known as the "farmer governor," disclosed this on Tuesday during the inauguration of a shea butter processing plant in Kudu, Mokwa Local Government Area. The facility, established by Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited and supported by NEXIM Bank, is expected to significantly enhance industrial processing of shea butter in the state.
“Through Niger Foods, we are preparing 10,000 hectares of land to plant 10 million shea trees,” Governor Bago said. “This initiative will create employment for our teeming youth and women, improve economic activities, and reinforce Niger State as the headquarters of shea tree production.”
Commending the efforts of Salid Agriculture, the governor said the new plant complements his administration’s agricultural transformation agenda and urged local communities to support the initiative for maximum impact.
“This is a commendable investment, and I urge the people of Kudu and beyond to take ownership and support this plant to achieve its full potential,” he added.
Industrial-Scale Production Targets Global Market
The Chief Executive Officer of Salid Agriculture, Ali Saidu, said the Kudu plant was established to increase capacity utilisation and meet international standards in shea butter production.
“Our goal is to produce 30,000 metric tons of high-quality shea butter annually, placing Niger State on the global map of shea exports,” he said.
He also highlighted the project's alignment with the state government’s focus on agriculture as a key driver of economic development.
NEXIM Bank Reaffirms Support for Shea Value Chain
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello, noted that although Nigeria produces over 60% of the world’s shea nuts, the lack of modern processing plants has slowed the industry’s growth.
“Processing has largely been in the hands of rural women using traditional methods. That’s why NEXIM is proud to support the Salid plant and the Niger State government in achieving full industrialisation of the shea value chain,” he stated.
FG, Traditional Leaders Hail Investment
Also present was the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abdullahi Sabi Abdullahi, who described the project as a milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural diversification strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This is a landmark investment. The approach taken by Governor Bago aligns with President Tinubu’s vision to reposition agriculture as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy,” the minister said.
The former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, alongside the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, both lauded the initiative and urged stakeholders to guard against environmental degradation caused by indiscriminate tree felling.
₦2 Billion MoU Signed to Empower Local Women and Youth
A highlight of the event was the signing of a ₦2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Niger Foods and Salid Shea Nut Processing Factory. The agreement aims to create direct employment for women and youth who will be mobilized to gather shea nuts for processing.
Governor Bago, accompanied by dignitaries, also toured various sections of the facility, including the warehouse, solvent extraction base, and oil mills, expressing satisfaction with the infrastructure and its potential to transform rural livelihoods.
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