The federal government is set to create 2,000 direct jobs and over 20 million indirect jobs across the agricultural value chain as the construction of coal and liquid fertilizer plants by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), which will contribute to food security, is nearing completion in Kano, Kano State.
The pioneering coal fertilizer project by NASENI and its Nigerian partner, Whitefog Environmental Services Limited, is a bilateral agreement on technology transfer between the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by NASENI, and the Government of Indonesia, represented by PT Saputra Global Harvest, for coal fertilizer production in Nigeria.
In addition, NASENI and Whitefog are partnering on the production of liquid fertilizer in Nigeria. The NASENI–Whitefog projects aim to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight-point agenda on food security, while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Nigeria’s soil quality has been a major concern for farmers, with traditional NPK fertilizers often failing to provide the necessary nutrients for optimal crop yields. The coal fertilizer, an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to conventional fertilizers, contains 26 additional mineral concentrates and activation technology, and is expected to address this long-standing challenge.
The Acting Coordinating Director, Engineering Infrastructure Directorate, NASENI Headquarters, and Coordinator of the NASENI–Whitefog project, Engr. Dr. Agava Abdullahi Abdulrasheed, who inspected the large production factory, massive warehouses, laboratories, and administrative buildings at the coal fertilizer plant, said the project would have a profound impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector. According to him, it will ensure improved soil quality and fertility, increased crop yields, and better harvests for farmers across the country.
Chairman of Whitefog Environmental Services Limited, Alhaji Hassan Inuwa Babura, said that on the coal fertilizer project, the company has secured a permanent site along Wudil Road and that construction has advanced significantly. He explained that machinery is already on the way, awaiting clearance at the seaport, after which installation will begin. He added that production is expected to commence by May or June 2026.
With the potential to revolutionize farming practices and strengthen food security, the two projects are expected to create 2,000 direct jobs and over 20 million indirect jobs across the agricultural value chain, stimulating economic growth and improving livelihoods nationwide.
