By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Solid Agriculture Nigeria company has established a shea butter processing facility with the capacity to produce 30, 000 metric tons annually in Kudu, Mokwa local government area of Niger state.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ali Saidu stated this at the weekend during its inauguration by the state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Saidu said, ” the company aims to scale processing capacity to 400 metric tons per day and eventually establish a state-of-the-art shea butter refinery”.
He explained that the facility is world first dedicated Shea Portland aimed at securing sustainable raw material sources, preserving biodiversity, and empowering local communities through long-term land stewardship.
According to him, “the next phase of our growth involves scaling our installed processing capacity to 400MT per day to enable us meet rising global demand”, adding that this will position the company as a leading supplier of high quality Shea products”.
He explained that the company is also working in technical partnership with GIZ and DFID through the PROPCOM MAIKAIFI project to recognize local Shea nut pickers mainly for women, explaining that they would be organised into well structured cooperatives and enhanced grassroot employment.
He assured that the company is committed towards its corporate social responsibility projects, including a 90km rural electrification initiative serving 70 communities. Others include support for girl-child education, and environmental protection measures.
Inaugurating the facility, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, hailed the project as a major step in positioning Niger as the global hub for shea production.
He also announced the signing of a ₦2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Niger Foods and the company which he said would provide women and youth with direct employment opportunities in shea nut harvesting and supply.
“This plant represents the beginning of a new era for Niger State — one where we add value to our natural resources, create jobs, and drive economic prosperity in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
