Food Security: Nigerian University Vice-Chancellors hail Dangote’s impact on agricultural revolution

*Several Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, during a recent familiarisation visit to Dangote Fertilizer plant, in Lagos, laud Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, for his laudable interventions in the agricultural sector, and urge other billionaires to emulate him and invest heavily in manufacturing to significantly enhance employment rate among the youth and ameliorate the sufferings of several Nigerians

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Several Nigerian University Vice-Chancellors (VCs), under the auspices of Committee of Vice-Chancellors, have applauded Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, as a foremost entrepreneur whose laudable interventions in the agricultural sector in Nigeria should be applauded and emulated by others.

The Vice-Chancellors, who were at the Dangote Fertilizer plant on a familiarisation visit over the weekend, marvelled at the huge financial resources invested in the new plant.

Why Dangote deserves special recognition for contribution to agricultural revolution: Vice-Chancellors

The University Heads unanimously, agreed that Dangote should be specially recognised for his contribution to agricultural revolution in Nigeria through his fertilizer project.

Speaking during the visit, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, said all the West African country needed for real growth and development in all sectors of the economy was just to have five of Aliko Dangotes.

Ochefu urged other Nigerian billionaires to take a cue from Dangote and invest heavily in manufacturing in order to significantly reduce the high unemployment rate among the youth and ameliorate the sufferings of several Nigerians.

“We decided to come and see organisation wellness and resilience in action, and we know that Aliko is one of the most resilient entrepreneurs this country has ever produced.

“So, it is important to come and have a feel of that action,” stated Prof. Ochefu.

Dangote is an enigma, says VCs’ Committee Scribe

The Secretary of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors also noted: “We came to see how one man’s dream and vision and big picture can translate into something like this.

“And I can say that this visit has exceeded all our expectations because nothing you see on television or even read in Newspapers can match the reality when you come here physically and see this massive edifice and process in place.”

He further declared: “Dangote is an enigma, and like I said earlier, if we have five of his types across Nigeria or across Africa, this country and continent will be a different story entirely. We are truly very proud of him….”

Likewise, Prof. Nnenna Oti, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), while speaking after the tour of the Fertilizer Plant, described the Plant as impressive.

Prof. Oti lauded the synergy between the Lagos State Government (LASG) and Aliko Dangote, a man from Kano State.

The FUTO Vice-Chancellor also described the union as what Nigeria should really represent.

She stated: “This plant is quite impressive. We wish we had more Nigerians who are investing in our country, creating opportunities and solving real problems as well as giving back to society as Aliko Dangote is doing….

“What is more impressive is that somebody from a different part of the country has enough confidence in another part of the country.

“There is this synergy between the different elements, the cooperation from the Lagos State Government and a man from Kano…this is the Nigeria of my dream.”

Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), also expressed satisfaction at the operations in the factory.

She noted that the three million tonnes of granulated Urea factory would go a long way in solving the food problems in Nigeria.

“This trip to Dangote Fertilizer has been awesome. …when the president said that there was going to be a state of emergency against poverty.

“We now know that Dangote is contributing enormously to the growth of the nation, to the availability of food security, through the provision of fertilizer, which is an important component in crop and food production,” Prof. Olatunji-Bello said.

The Vice-Chancellor of LASU also stated: “I am very impressed. This factory is enormous, huge funds have gone into it, and it will have a positive effect on the nation’s economy.

“The likes of Aliko Dangote are rare, and Nigeria should be thankful for having a bold man that is always willing to take huge risks, in our midst.”

In his remarks during the familiarisation visit to the plant, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), urged the Federal Government to specially recognise Aliko Dangote, as he has braved the odds to provide real solution to one of the key problems, facing the country: food security.

Prof. Ishaya said: “We have all gone round the factory, and I must confess that this is a fantastic environment.

“We want to congratulate the President of Dangote Group on having that vision and on implementing the vision.”

On Dangote Urea Fertilizer Plant

The Dangote Urea Fertilizer Plant was built to tap into Nigeria’s demand for Fertilizer, a critical component for achieving food sufficiency for Africa’s most populous country.

The Fertilizer plant is manufacturing three million metric tonnes of urea per annum, with a view to reducing the Nigerian fertilizer imports, and generating over $400 million annual foreign exchange from export to Africa countries.

Dangote Group in a statement, said Vishawajit Sinha, Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Fertilizer Limited, revealed that the Plant which has the capacity to churn out over 4,500 tonnes of Urea per day, would conveniently meet the local demand and even produce for exports.

Company has capacity to meet local demand, export to African countries: CEO

Sinha also noted “we have the capacity to churn out 4,500 tonnes of Urea every day… this is a bulk application fertilizer… each crop in Nigeria or globally will require Nitrogen and this is a rich fertilizer, having 46 percent nitrogen….

“The company has the capacity to meet local demand and export to African countries.”

The plant is regarded as the largest granulated Urea fertilizer complex in Africa, occupying 500 hectares of land.

The facility was built at a cost of $2.5 billion, and it is expected to reduce drastically level of unemployment and youth restiveness in the country through employment opportunities, according to the company.

The plant is expected to generate new jobs with top quality fertilizer being available and in sufficient quantities for the Nigerian farmers.

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