A Week of Impact: Dangote Steps Up for Food Security in Niger and Ogun States
Jerry Adesewo
In a week marked by powerful partnerships and purposeful interventions, the Dangote Group has again shown why it remains a pillar of Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth. From cementing agricultural partnerships in Niger State to empowering grassroots farmers in Ogun State, the conglomerate’s actions underscore a focused mission: improving food security and boosting local economies.
Dangote Rice Partners Niger State to Transform Agriculture
The week kicked off on a hopeful note in Niger State, where the Aliko Dangote-led Group formalized a transformative partnership with the state government for large-scale rice production.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the initiative as a strategic milestone aimed at harnessing Niger’s vast arable land and abundant water resources. “We have comparative advantage, and we are doing everything possible to use it to feed our people,” he said.
Governor Bago added that his administration is in talks with Lagos State, which is launching a food hub requiring consistent supply from outgrower states. “We’ve signed an MoU with Lagos. We are transitioning our people from primitive to mechanized agriculture. We are working with Turkish investors and now, with Dangote Rice, we can move the needle on food sufficiency,” he explained.
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On behalf of Dangote Rice, Managing Director Thabo Mabe called the partnership a “milestone”. “This development will excite rice consumers across the country. We are taking bold steps toward self-reliance and national food security,” Mabe stated.
Echoing his sentiments, Executive Chairman of the Niger Food Security Systems and Logistics, Sammy Adigun, highlighted the economic implications of the deal. “This project can unlock over N18 trillion in long-term revenue. We are talking about cultivating thousands of hectares and directly supporting over 5,000 farmers in the rice value chain,” Adigun revealed.
Empowering Grassroots Farmers in Ogun State
As the week progressed, the spotlight shifted to Ibese in Ogun State where Dangote Cement hosted the fourth edition of its Farmers’ Empowerment Programme. Hundreds of local farmers from Yewa communities benefited from a wide range of inputs including fertilizers and modern farming tools.
The Plant Director, in his remarks, said, “We are proud to partner with our host communities in creating an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive. Socio-economic progress is only possible through strong collaboration.”
Olusola Akinbode, Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, praised the timely intervention. “This is a boost to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s agenda for food sufficiency. We recently distributed 11,000 cash crops; with Dangote’s support, we can scale that to 60,000 by 2026. Yewa is on its way to becoming a food basket,” he said.
Community leaders were also full of appreciation. Dayo Ogunyinka, Chairman of the Community Joint Consultative Committee (CJCC), described the programme as “a perfect intervention” for rural development and food security. “The fourth edition of this empowerment drive shows Dangote’s long-term commitment to the grassroots,” he noted.
Farmers Speak: A Lifeline to the Fields
The event wasn’t just a corporate gesture—for the farmers, it was a lifeline. Iyabo Akintan from Ijako Orile couldn’t hide her gratitude. “This support uplifts us. Farming will now be more productive and less frustrating,” she said.
Olaleye Adekunle, another beneficiary, called the intervention “soothing and morale boosting.” He added, “With these tools and fertilisers, we can now farm under any weather condition. Dangote has shown us that our labour is seen and appreciated.”
The programme concluded with a short training session on best practices for using the distributed farm inputs to maximize yields. Experts guided the farmers through soil management, planting techniques, and input application.
A Model for Corporate-Community Synergy
In a country where food inflation and insecurity are pressing issues, Dangote’s dual interventions this week send a clear message: the private sector has a vital role to play in agricultural revival.
From strategic investment in Niger’s rice economy to touching the lives of farmers in Ogun, the company has demonstrated that business and social impact can go hand in hand. As stakeholders and community leaders have echoed throughout the week, real change happens when intentions meet action.
For Dangote, the journey of building a food-secure Nigeria is not a sprint, but a marathon—one fertile field, one farmer, and one partnership at a time.
A Week of Impact: Dangote Steps Up for Food Security in Niger and Ogun States