Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, says the state government, through Niger Foods, will plant 10 million shea trees to enhance shea butter production and strengthen Niger’s position as the headquarters of shea trees in Nigeria.
The governor made this known at the inauguration of a shea butter processing plant established by Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited, with support from NEXIM Bank, in Kudu, Mokwa Local Government Area.
According to Governor Bago, 10,000 hectares of land will be prepared for the project to ensure a steady supply of shea nuts for investors, create jobs for youths and women, and boost socio-economic activities. He commended Salid Agriculture for setting up the plant, describing it as a complement to government efforts in job creation and community development.
Chief Executive Officer of Salid Agriculture Nigeria Ltd., Ali Saidu, said the plant—designed to produce 30,000 metric tons of shea butter annually—aims to increase production capacity and improve quality to meet global market standards.
NEXIM Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Abba Bello, noted that although Nigeria produces 60% of the world’s shea nuts, the lack of industrial processing plants has hindered growth. He pledged continued collaboration with Salid and the Niger State government to develop the entire shea value chain.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi Abdullahi, described the investment as a major boost to agriculture and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.
In their remarks, former Bayelsa State Governor and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, praised Governor Bago for creating an enabling environment for such investments. They also called for measures to protect the investment and curb indiscriminate tree felling.
The event featured the signing of a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding between Niger Foods and Salid Shea Nut Processing Factory to create direct employment for women and youths in shea nut collection.
Governor Bago and his entourage later toured the facility, inspecting its warehouse, solvent extraction base, and oil mills.
