(4 minutes read)
· The 3- million-metric-ton Dangote Fertiliser plant is nearing completion though the onset of Covid-19 had affected the timely commissioning of the plant
· It is expected to be ready for operation in 2021
· The largest fertilizer facility in west Africa is located in Ibeju Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos
The 3- million-metric-ton Dangote Fertiliser plant is nearing completion though the onset of Covid-19 had affected the timely commissioning of the plant. It is expected to be ready for operation in 2021. Still a few months away from completion, the plant is bound to alleviate the pains of farmers.
According to a reliable source – the West African Fertiliser Association – the country’s fertiliser consumption in 2018 was 1.4million metric tons as against an estimated demand of 6 million metric tons. This has considerably dragged down the agricultural productivity in the Western African country.
The result is that the farm productivity in Nigeria now is one of the lowest. Crops like maize to tomato, rice, cassava etc have registered substantial decline in productivity, although many hold that it is not entirely due to fertiliser. However, its usage or non-usagecontributes significantly to output as substantiated by empirical evidence.
With Dangote Fertilizer plant coming on stream with 3 million metric tons per annum of Urea, this will cover about half of the country’s fertiliser needs. The largest fertilizer facility in west Africa is located in Ibeju Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos. The plant will come up in two phases. Phase 1 one is estimated to cost US$2.5 billion and will manufacture 3- million metric tons per annum of Urea. Later, the capacity will be expanded to produce multi grades of fertilisers to meet soil, crop and climate-specific requirements for the African continent.
