Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced plans to plant 10 million shea trees across the state as part of efforts to boost shea butter production and position Niger as a key player in the global shea industry.
The Governor announced the commissioning of a new shea butter processing facility established by Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited and supported by NEXIM Bank in Kudu, Mokwa Local Government Area.
According to Governor Bago, the initiative, spearheaded by Niger Foods, will see the cultivation of 10,000 hectares of shea trees, aimed at ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for local and international investors in the shea industry.
He explained that the project is part of a broader strategy to generate employment, especially for women and youth, and to stimulate socio-economic development across the state.
“The vision is to make Niger State the headquarters of shea trees and a hub for shea butter production,” Bago said.
He also commended Salid Agriculture for setting up the processing plant, noting that it aligns with his administration’s drive to empower rural communities and boost agro-industrial development.
Salid Agriculture’s Chief Executive Officer, Ali Saidu, shared that the plant has a production capacity of 30,000 metric tons of shea butter annually.
He noted that the facility was built to enhance processing capabilities, improve quality, and make Niger State competitive in the global shea market.
In his remarks, NEXIM Bank Managing Director and CEO, Abba Bello, highlighted that although Nigeria accounts for 60% of global shea nut production, the lack of processing infrastructure has hindered value addition, which is mostly carried out by women in traditional settings.
He pledged NEXIM Bank’s continued support for both Salid and the Niger State Government to develop the entire shea value chain.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abdullahi Sabi Abdullahi, hailed the investment as a significant boost to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He praised Governor Bago’s proactive approach in driving agricultural transformation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to diversify the economy.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, and the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, lauded Governor Bago for creating a conducive environment for agro-industrial investments.
They also called on the government and stakeholders to protect the shea initiative and curb indiscriminate tree felling, which poses serious environmental risks
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Niger Foods and Salid Shea Nut Processing Factory.
The agreement is aimed at creating direct jobs for women and youth involved in shea nut collection, who will supply the factory directly.
Governor Bago and his entourage also toured the factory’s facilities, including the warehouse, solvent extraction area, and oil mills, expressing satisfaction with the scale and potential of the project.
