In a landmark move to boost food security, the Niger State Government, through its Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Ltd., has signed a ₦1.8 trillion agreement with Dangote Rice Limited for the supply and offtake of paddy rice over the next decade. The deal, formalized on July 22, 2025, at the Lagos office of Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote, commits Niger Foods to supply 500,000 metric tons of high-quality paddy rice annually, leveraging the state’s vast arable land and water resources from the Rivers Niger and Kaduna. The partnership aims to create 50,000 direct jobs and support 50,000 local farmers while developing 25,000 hectares of commercial rice farms.
Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, described the agreement as a transformative step for sustainable agriculture, ensuring a guaranteed market for farmers and reinforcing Niger State’s role in feeding Nigeria. “This partnership will utilize our water resources and arable land to drive rice production and create employment,” said Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who highlighted the state’s mechanized farming initiatives. Aliko Dangote praised Bago’s agricultural vision, noting that the deal aligns with Dangote Group’s investments in rice mills across states like Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto to curb imports and promote self-sufficiency. The agreement includes provisions for Dangote Rice to provide 500 40ft containers for a farm estate, enhancing logistics.
This collaboration builds on Niger State’s earlier agricultural partnerships, such as a ₦5 billion deal with Lagos for rice and other crops, and follows Dangote’s ongoing rice projects, including a 32-tonne-per-hour mill in Wushishi. The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, reduce foreign exchange strain, and uplift rural communities through job creation and farmer empowerment, positioning Niger State as a key player in national food security.
