Niger State Governor and farmer, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced an ambitious plan to plant 10 million shea trees across the state in a bid to boost shea butter production and establish Niger as a global hub for the lucrative industry.
The announcement came during the commissioning of a new shea butter processing facility in Kudu, Mokwa Local Government Area.
The plant, built by Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited with support from NEXIM Bank, is part of a broader initiative led by Niger Foods to cultivate 10,000 hectares of shea trees ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for both domestic processors and international buyers.
Governor Bago said the project is central to his administration’s vision of generating jobs, especially for women and youth, while stimulating socio-economic growth.
“The vision is to make Niger State the headquarters of shea trees and a hub for shea butter production,” Bago declared.
He praised Salid Agriculture for investing in the processing plant, noting it aligns with his drive to empower rural communities and grow the agro-industrial sector.
Salid Agriculture CEO, Ali Saidu revealed that the facility has the capacity to produce 30,000 metric tons of shea butter annually, positioning Niger State as a competitive player in the global market.
He said the plant was designed to improve processing quality, enhance productivity, and open up export opportunities.
NEXIM Bank Managing Director, Abba Bello highlighted that while Nigeria accounts for 60% of global shea nut production, limited processing infrastructure has hindered value addition most of which is carried out by women in traditional settings.
He pledged continued NEXIM support for the project and the development of the entire shea value chain.
Senator Abdullahi Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, hailed the investment as a major boost to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, praising Governor Bago’s proactive leadership in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.
Also present were Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, and Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Both commended Bago for fostering an investor-friendly climate and urged stakeholders to safeguard the shea project while curbing indiscriminate tree felling.
A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a ₦2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Niger Foods and Salid Shea Nut Processing Factory.
The agreement is expected to create direct jobs for women and youth engaged in shea nut collection, who will supply the factory directly.
Governor Bago and his team toured the plant’s facilities, including the warehouse, solvent extraction section, and oil mills, expressing satisfaction with the project’s scale and potential to transform Niger State’s agro-economy.
