Dangote promises Nigeria will soon become self-sufficient in rice and sugar production

BILLIONAIRE businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote has promised that within the next four years Nigeria will become self-sufficient in rice and sugar production thanks to the new facilities his company has recently opened.

 

Africa's richest man, Alhaji Dangote has food production at the core of his business empire, with sugar being one of his major areas of operation. Over the last year, Dangote Industries has stepped up its opening of processing factories and assistance to farmers in a bid to dramatically increase output.

 

Despite being the world's sixth largest agricultural producer and a net farm goods exporter, Nigeria is still a major importer of certain staple food items. These include sugar, rice, palm oil and wheat, mainly as a result of the fact that local production has lagged behind population growth.

 

Yesterday, however, at a business reception with the United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in Abuja, Alhaji Dangote promised that this matter will soon be remedied. Alhaji Dangote, who was speaking against the backdrop of his investment in the economy, also said the nation would soon become the largest exporter of petroleum end-products and fertiliser.

 

He added that he would not want to be known as the richest man alone, adding that he would lend his voice to better the lots of Nigerians. He commended the bold step of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in addressing the challenge of corruption facing the nation.

 

Alhaji Dangote noted that government was taking measures to diversify the economy by promoting the local production of essential commodities. He added that this would enhance the growth of the economy with regards to job creation and help preserve scarce foreign exchange.

 

According to Alhaji Dangote, the business community in Nigeria should focus more on developing the non-oil sector to support the government efforts in diversifying the economy. He added that this would help reduce the reliance on the importation of goods.

 

Other prominent businessmen at meeting included Tony Elumeu, the chairman of Heir Holdings;  Shamsudeen Usman, the former minister of national planning and Mansur Ahmed, the former director-general of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission. Also present was Professor Babatunde Oshotimehin, the executive director of the United Nations Population Fund.