Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has announced a plan to plant 10 million shea trees across 10,000 hectares as part of efforts to boost shea butter production and create jobs for women and youths.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Salid Shea Butter Processing Plant in Kudu, Mokwa Local Government Area, Bago described the initiative as a major step toward industrializing the state's agriculture sector and positioning Niger as Nigeria's shea butter hub.
The project, championed by Niger Foods, aims to make shea nuts more readily available to attract local and foreign investors. The state is partnering with Salid Agriculture Ltd., Saudi EXIM Bank, and Nigeria's NEXIM Bank, with Saudi partners committing to a $100 million irrigation project.
Bago said a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Niger Foods and Salid Agriculture Ltd. under a public-private partnership model, designed to directly engage women and youths in shea nut collection for direct supply to the factory.
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NEXIM Bank Managing Director, Abba Bello, noted that Nigeria produces about 60 percent of the world's shea nuts but lacks large-scale processing capacity. He pledged the bank's support for the full value chain in collaboration with the Salid plant.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, hailed the project as a milestone in diversifying Nigeria's economy in line with President Bola Tinubu's vision.
Salid Agriculture Nigeria Ltd. CEO, Ali Saidu, said the Kudu factory has a capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes of shea butter annually, meeting global standards and enhancing Nigeria's competitiveness.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, warned against foreign buyers infiltrating forests and distorting market prices, urging regulation to protect local investments.
Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, called for an end to indiscriminate tree felling, warning of environmental risks.
