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Dangote Urges Prioritisation of Food Security in Africa
… AfricaRice seeks investments, public-private partnerships
President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for the prioritisation of food security and self-sufficiency across Africa, stressing the continent’s vast agricultural potential.
Speaking over the weekend during a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre—a pan-African Centre of Excellence for rice research, development, and capacity building—at his Lagos office, Dangote highlighted agriculture as a key pillar for sustainable development on the continent.
“Africa is richly endowed with arable land. With the right policies, adequate investment, and the adoption of modern technology, farmers can significantly increase their yields and return on investment,” he said.
He noted that strengthening agriculture could help tackle many of the continent’s socio-economic challenges, given its role as a major source of employment and income.
“With effective policy frameworks and technological advancement, Africa can achieve food security and become self-sufficient. Investing in agriculture will also unlock growth across various sectors of the economy,” Dangote added.
Dangote Rice Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries, recently signed a landmark N1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government. The agreement will ensure a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice in support of Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.
Dangote Rice has made substantial investments in rice mills and plantations across Nigeria. Through its out-grower scheme, the company aims to create employment opportunities while promoting food self-sufficiency nationwide.
Director General of AfricaRice, Dr Baboucarr Manneh, commended Dangote’s renewed focus on agricultural investments, describing it as a critical step towards achieving food security on the continent.
He also lauded the recently formalised partnership with Niger State, noting its potential to transform regional food systems.
“Niger State has set an ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of rice over the next five years. To put this into perspective, Africa currently imports around 15 million tonnes of rice annually,” said Dr Manneh. “If realised, this target will have a significant impact on rice self-sufficiency and food security in Africa.”
He emphasised the importance of leveraging public-private partnerships to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem, combining government leadership with private sector expertise and investment.
“This partnership can serve as a blueprint for other states and countries across the continent. With strong support from agricultural science and research, it can dramatically boost productivity and reduce Africa’s reliance on food imports,” he added.
Dr Manneh also called for better management of imports to support local farmers and strengthen domestic economies.
Also speaking during the visit, Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transforming rice production. He revealed that AfricaRice is set to support Niger State in increasing annual rice paddy production from the current 1.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes, through the deployment of climate-smart technologies, mechanisation, innovation, and the integration of both large-scale and smallholder farms.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has conducted a capacity-building training for operatives of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to enhance their investigative capacity in tackling financial crimes.
KANO FOCUS reports that the training, held in Kano, focused on strengthening the technical skills of investigators to address increasingly complex and technology-driven financial offences.
Hajiya Aisha Gadanya Malam Saidu Yahaya
A statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of PCACC, Isah Mansur Bello said the session was facilitated by James Ebiboloukemi, Head of CCS1 at the EFCC Kano Zonal Office, who provided practical insights into the evolving nature of financial crimes and strategies for combating them effectively.
Key areas covered during the training included financial intelligence gathering, analysis of financial records, asset tracing and recovery, digital forensics, detection of money laundering, interrogation techniques, case documentation, and prosecution support.
Participants were also equipped with practical tools to investigate and manage complex financial crimes, particularly those involving digital platforms.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of PCACC, Malam Saidu Yahaya, described the training as timely and critical to improving the commission’s operational effectiveness.
He reaffirmed PCACC’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the EFCC in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Kano State and beyond.
The commission also expressed appreciation to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support in ensuring the agency’s independence and providing necessary logistical backing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has commended the Federal High Court in Kano for sentencing a 20-year-old drug suspect, Muhammad Maharazu, to 15 years imprisonment.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer NDLEA Kano Strategic Command Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday, the command said the conviction followed Maharazu’s arrest on February 14, 2026, at the notorious Filin Idi drug den in Kano.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Commander’s Special Joint Task Force in possession of various illicit substances, including Diazepam tablets. During the operation, Maharazu allegedly produced a knife in an attempt to attack officers while trying to evade arrest but was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody.
The agency said Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment on April 15, 2026, with no option of fine. The sentence is to take effect from the date of judgment.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Kano Commander, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, described the judgment as decisive and a strong warning to drug offenders.
“This conviction sends a clear message that no amount of threats or violence will deter our officers from carrying out their mandate. Kano will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
The command added that the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug trafficking or those who resort to violence to resist arrest.
It also called on members of the public to continue supporting the agency’s efforts in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against drug-related crimes requires collective responsibility.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Africa’s leading conglomerate will feature its flagship Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the 2026 Nasarawa Trade Fair, which will be officially declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 20.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote Industries Limited will also showcase its Vision 2030, which focuses on driving innovation and Africa’s industrialization.
The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.
A statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said other Strategic Business Units of the company will be participating at the annual event in the state capital, Lafia.
Anthony Chiejina stated that products to be featured at the Fair will include those from the Group’s Strategic Business Units, such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt and seasonings, Dangote SinoTruk, Dangote Packaging, and Dangote Fertiliser.
The statement quoted the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that Nasarawa State is key to the Group’s overall investment in Africa.
“It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments in Africa,” she said.
Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.
She stated that a dedicated Help Desk will handle inquiries, enabling the company to effectively engage participants on the Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units.
Speaking to newsmen in Lafia, Chairman and Council members of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the theme for this year’s Trade Fair aptly aligns with Dangote Group’s vision.
“We align strongly with the vision of Aliko Dangote, whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s economic future. His focus on industrialization, local production, and value creation inspires our efforts to connect MSMEs to structured value chains.
“Through this partnership, we are building a bridge between grassroots businesses and large industries, driving inclusive growth,” he said.
He said the third edition of NASTFE is designed as a practical business, industrial, and human capital development platform, adding that it is not just an exhibition.
According to him: “A major highlight of this year’s programme is the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), now structured as a package project for sponsorship support.
“ESAP is a yearly initiative from July-December targeting 2,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
“The programme is strategically designed as a mobile training system, moving from one Local Government to another to ensure inclusive grassroots participation.”
Speaking on the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030, he said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems.”
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