The Executive Chairman of Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Ltd, Mr. Sammy Adigun, has described agriculture as a strategic driver of industrialisation and economic development.
In a statement signed by the Information Officer of Niger Foods, Rashidat AbdulRahman, Mr. Adigun made this known during a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, in Minna on Tuesday.
Addressing the Speaker and other lawmakers, Mr. Adigun highlighted the achievements of Niger Foods within just 18 months of its establishment, noting that the company had attracted both multinational and international investors to the state, enhanced mechanised farming, and supported smallholder farmers through input and mechanisation finance schemes.
He observed that agriculture was previously treated as a social programme, but with the advent of Niger Foods, it is now evolving into a profitable, youth-driven enterprise capable of transforming livelihoods.
Mr. Adigun explained that his visit to the Assembly was to seek legislative collaboration and stakeholder engagement as the company begins implementation of major projects, including the ₦1.8 trillion Dangote Rice Project, the “Produce for Lagos” initiative, and the AfricaRice partnership, which targets a production output of 10 million tons annually.
He also outlined a roadmap for developing value chains for key commodities such as yam, sugar, shea nuts, soybeans, maize, and livestock. The Chairman stressed the urgency of onboarding at least 100,000 smallholder farmers, 25,000 SMEs and cooperatives, and 50 large-scale commercial farm estates across the state. He called on members of the House to play active roles in this process.
In his response, Speaker Sarkin Daji, commended Mr. Adigun for engaging the legislature and pledged full support for the initiatives. He assured that the House would mobilise traditional and political leaders across the state to embrace the life-changing programmes of Niger Foods.
The Speaker further urged all members of the 10th Assembly to key into the agricultural initiatives for the benefit of their constituents.
By Anna Moses
