Today, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned Dangote Fertilizer plant, Africa’s largest granulated fertilizer complex at the Lekki free trade zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos state.
Other dignitaries that were present at the event include Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and of course, the President of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The fertilizer plant occupies 500 hectares of land and was built at a cost of $2.5 Billion. It was established to produce 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea fertilizer in phase 1. Nigeria is estimated to need about 5 to 7 million metric tonnes per annum of fertilizer and the current level of fertilizer consumption in the country is 1.5 million metric tonnes.
Nigeria currently has 47 fertilizer blending plants in the country. With this new plant producing 3 million metric tonnes, the volume of imports will drastically reduce. The new plant will also generate about $400m annual foreign exchange from export to Africa countries.
Nigeria’s average fertilizer application of 20kg/ha, is regarded as one of the lowest in Africa when compared with the common usage rate of 200kg/ha.
Dangote Fertiliser says it will work with Farmer Associations, Corporate Farms, NPK Blenders, NGO/development partners and State Governments all over Nigeria, as well as governments across Africa and beyond who are looking for sustainable approach to improve soil and farm yields.
