MINNA: In a landmark development for Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector, Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited has commissioned Africa’s largest shea butter refinery, located in Kudu, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The facility boasts an annual processing capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes, positioning the state as a key hub in the global shea industry.
Performing the inauguration, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the project as a game-changer that would create jobs, attract investment, and transform Niger State into the continent’s epicentre for shea production.
To sustain operations, the governor disclosed that the state has allocated 10,000 hectares for shea tree cultivation, alongside a ₦2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Niger Foods and Salid Agriculture.
The initiative, he said, will provide direct employment for women and youths engaged in shea nut harvesting and supply.
Ali Saidu, CEO of Salid Agriculture, revealed that the company intends to expand the facility’s capacity to 400 metric tonnes per day, while also establishing a state-of-the-art shea butter refinery.
He added that the company’s mission goes beyond production, focusing on biodiversity preservation, community empowerment, and sustainable land use.
We are partnering with GIZ and DFID under the PROPCOM MAIKAIFI project to organise local shea nut pickers mostly women into structured cooperatives to boost rural employment,” Saidu explained.
The company’s Executive Director, Daniel Alabi, highlighted corporate social responsibility initiatives tied to the project, including rural electrification, girl-child education, and environmental protection.
Also speaking, Abba Bello, CEO of NEXIM Bank, which financed the refinery, noted that although Nigeria accounts for 60 per cent of global shea nut output, it has lacked industrial-scale processors until now.
He announced plans to establish four additional processing plants nationwide to further strengthen the sector.
In his goodwill message, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, lauded Governor Bago’s agricultural drive but urged stakeholders to guard against indiscriminate tree felling that could harm the ecosystem.
With this facility, Niger State is set to not only boost local livelihoods but also increase Nigeria’s share in the multi-billion-dollar global shea butter market.
