By Abdullahi Lukman
Multinational conglomerate, Lee Group, has announced investing $35 million to expand value-added agriculture across Nasarawa State.
The investment is to focus on the cultivation and processing of rice, sugarcane, sesame, and peanuts. Project Director of Lee Group, Wilkins Lam, revealed the plan during a visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The company, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government in 2024, has already conducted feasibility studies to support the initiative.
Of the total investment, $15 million will go into developing 5,000 hectares of rice farmland, a modern rice mill, and irrigation infrastructure.
A further $20 million is earmarked for the establishment of a sugar processing factory to complement the Group’s existing sugarcane operations in Jigawa State.
Additional plans include introducing high-yield varieties for peanut and sesame production and setting up associated processing hubs.
“We are committed to long-term investments in Nasarawa State,” Lam said. “The first step is deploying a professional team to carry out a comprehensive feasibility study to determine the most suitable crops and locations.”
Governor Sule welcomed the investment, describing it as a transformative opportunity for Nasarawa’s economy.
Related Posts
He noted that the agricultural sector holds greater potential for revenue generation than oil and gas, especially with the growing demand for sugar in Nigeria and West Africa.
“If I had your resources, I would invest in sugarcane first,” the governor told the delegation. “Nasarawa has the land, water resources, and market demand to become a leader in sugar production.”
He also pledged full state support for the project, including fast-tracked approvals, land acquisition, and community engagement. “We are ready to go beyond meetings. Where the state needs to contribute, we will do so,” he said.
Mohammed Umar Maje, Lee Group’s Director of Agriculture, highlighted the Group’s innovative rice variety, which yields up to 10 tons per hectare—more than triple Nigeria’s average.
He added that the variety regenerates after harvest, reducing replanting costs. The company also plans to introduce a peanut variant with high oil content and build a sesame processing hub.
Lee Group Legal Adviser Mahmoud praised Nasarawa for its investment-friendly policies, calling it a model for other Nigerian states.
“This investment will create thousands of jobs and strengthen the agricultural value chain,” he said.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), confirmed that a 5,000-hectare site had been identified in Doma Local Government Area, with initial community engagements led by the Andoma of Doma already completed.
“This project is a direct result of Governor Sule’s reforms and vision for a diversified economy,” Abdullahi stated, adding that further engagements with local communities and land assessments will take place in the coming week.
