Yobe State has intensified efforts to attract private investors into sesame processing as part of a wider plan to increase value addition, strengthen exports and create more employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
The renewed drive came after a meeting in Damaturu involving the Yobe State Agency for Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, Valency Agro Nigeria Limited, and Greenfort Consulting and Chalcdony Consulting. The session took place at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Solid Minerals.
Speaking during the engagement, the Director General of the investment agency, Dr Aliyu Isa Chikaji, said the state was looking for credible investors to take advantage of existing sesame processing facilities and help transform the industry into a stronger contributor to economic growth.
He noted that Yobe is one of the country’s major sesame producing states and has invested in processing infrastructure to encourage industrial development.
According to him, the proposed collaboration is expected to expand processing capacity, improve access to international markets and strengthen the entire sesame value chain.
Chikaji explained that the areas of cooperation would include organic sesame production, improved product traceability, farmer training, export promotion and investment in processing activities. He added that stronger private sector involvement would improve the competitiveness of the industry while raising farmers’ incomes and supporting the state’s economic diversification agenda.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Solid Minerals, Alhaji Kaigama Umar, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni to policies that encourage investment and unlock the full potential of agriculture across the state.
As part of the visit, members of the delegation toured the Damaturu Sesame Seed Processing Plant to assess its operational readiness and explore opportunities for collaboration that would enhance processing capacity and boost export activities.
Nigeria remains one of the leading producers and exporters of sesame seed in the world, with the commodity ranking among the country’s most valuable non oil exports. Industry stakeholders believe that expanding processing capacity in major producing states such as Yobe will increase export earnings, reduce post harvest losses and generate more jobs across the agricultural sector.
