Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has urged the private sector to complement government policies in redefining the trajectory of the nation’s economy.
Shettima made the call during his address at the commissioning of Springfield Agro Limited’s crop protection chemical plant, a member of the Kewalram Chanrai Group, which provides total farm solutions to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the plant in Ewu-Osi, Sagamu-Ibadan Expressway, on Wednesday, Shettima emphasised the need to expand industrial capacity across the value chain to guarantee food security in the country.
The vice president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, lamented that despite Africa being blessed with vast arable land and the potential to be the world’s food basket, the continent’s share of global manufacturing remains less than two per cent.
He stressed that Nigeria has no excuse not to be at the forefront of reversing this reality, highlighting the need to create a more enabling environment where local firms can thrive, innovate, and compete globally.
His words: “Our duty as a government is to remove barriers and provide the necessary support for businesses. Agriculture remains a cardinal priority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and this resolve has inspired the quality and scale of programmes designed to support farmers in increasing their productivity and yield.
“Through research institutes, mechanisation schemes, and cutting-edge technology, our focus on food security is driven by the unshakeable belief that Nigerians have no reason to go hungry.”
He added that the commissioning of the agrochemical plant aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s agenda to combat hunger and enhance national food security. He commended Springfield Agro Limited for its substantial investment in Nigeria since its inception in 2004.
Commending the Ogun State Government for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, he urged other states to emulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of driving food sufficiency, industrial expansion, and job creation for the citizenry.
In his remarks, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, praised Springfield Agro Limited for its significant strides in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, providing comprehensive farm solutions—from seeds and fertilisers to tractors and post-harvest processing. He noted that the company’s expansion into manufacturing marks a major step forward.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for industries to flourish. He emphasised that in Ogun State, agriculture is a critical component of the government’s economic development strategy.
Governor Abiodun assured that his administration would continue providing the infrastructure, policies, and incentives needed to encourage further investment, which would not only drive economic growth but also create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Chairman of Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr NG Chanrai, stated that the success of Springfield Agro Limited in Nigeria has given the company the confidence to expand into other countries. He added that, in line with Federal Government policies on agriculture, the organisation is committed to producing high-quality products that meet consumer demand.
He also noted that all materials used for production are sourced locally to support local manufacturers and revealed that Kewalram has provided over 4,000 jobs in the state.