Niger to restart Zungeru Fertiliser Plant operations by May 31

By Baba Alfa, Minna

The Niger State Government has revealed that the Zungeru Fertiliser Blending Plant is set to resume production by the end of May 2025.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Alhaji Hamza Bello Sarki, during a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Government House Press Gallery in Minna.

Alhaji Sarki confirmed that all requisite machinery is in place and that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to facilitate the plant’s operational restart.

The press briefing, anchored by Commissioner for Information and Strategy Hajiya Binta Mamma, was attended by the Senior Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, and the recently reassigned Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Vatsa. The session outlined key developments under the Umar Bago administration.

Alhaji Sarki noted that the government has also adopted security strategies in support of its urban renewal plans, with the aim of swiftly addressing the needs of residents.

He added that more than 200 women-led cooperative groups are currently benefitting from a shea butter empowerment scheme, with business kits already distributed to participating women.

In the transport sector, the state government has acquired new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, and preparatory steps have been taken to construct CNG refuelling stations in Suleja and Minna.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Binta Mamma also disclosed that the government has distributed 23,300 units of specialised school furniture across public schools in the state. The initiative, aimed at improving the learning environment, cost the government over N1.3 billion.