By Abbas Nazil
Lee Group has announced a major agricultural investment of $35 million in Nasarawa State, with plans focusing on the cultivation and processing of rice, sugarcane, sesame, and peanuts.
During a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule, the Group’s project director, Wilkins Lam, revealed that the initiative would include the development of 5,000 hectares of rice farmland, complete with a modern rice mill and irrigation infrastructure, at an estimated cost of $15 million.
In addition, the company plans to establish a sugar factory valued at $20 million to complement its existing sugarcane plantation in Jigawa State.
Lam explained that the investment is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity by leveraging high-yield seed varieties for sesame and peanut farming.
The project director said the move marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to the development of agriculture in Nasarawa State.
He also disclosed that the group would deploy a team of professionals to carry out a comprehensive feasibility study to determine the most suitable crops and strategies for the area.
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Responding to the announcement, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed his excitement and strong support for the partnership, describing it as a transformative opportunity for Nasarawa.
He praised Lee Group for their dedication to Nigeria’s agricultural advancement, highlighting that revenues from agriculture hold greater potential for sustainable development than oil and gas.
The governor pledged the state government’s support to facilitate the project’s success, including personally accompanying the Lee Group team on inspection tours of potential sites, aiding in community engagement, and ensuring swift approval processes.
Governor Sule further emphasized the economic potential of investing in sugarcane, pointing out that Nigeria’s domestic sugar demand is currently very high, with a 50kg bag selling for as much as N80,000.
He noted that with access to around 30,000 hectares of land, Lee Group would be well positioned to dominate the sugar refining market, not only within Nigeria but also in neighboring West African countries.
Meanwhile, the managing director and CEO of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), Ibrahim Abdullahi, commended Lee Group’s extensive investments across the country and confirmed that a 5,000-hectare site has already been identified in Doma Local Government Area for the initial phase of the project.
He assured that NASIDA is committed to supporting the investors to ensure smooth land acquisition and project commencement.
The proposed investment is expected to significantly contribute to the state’s economy, create jobs, and enhance food security, aligning with Nasarawa’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.
