In a landmark event under the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), TGI Group, a leading agribusiness and industrial conglomerate, welcomed a high-profile Brazilian delegation to its WACOT Rice facility in Argungu, Kebbi State, to explore investment opportunities and reinforce bilateral ties in agriculture and livestock development.

The visit, facilitated in partnership with the Office of the Vice President, highlights Kebbi’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and TGI’s commitment to sustainable agribusiness growth.

The Special Adviser to President on Economic Matters, Dr. Tope Kolade Fasua, linked TGI’s growth to federal reforms: “This visit demonstrates the tangible results of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. The growth we are seeing in companies like TGI Group and WACOT Rice, the expansion of local rice production, and the premium quality being achieved are direct results of policies that encourage domestic production. Kebbi State’s agricultural transformation is a model for the entire nation.”

During a tour of TGI’s rice processing facility, WACOT Rice Limited, the Vice Chairman, TGI Group, Farouk Gumel, underscored the impact of Kebbi’s business-friendly policies. “What we have here in Kebbi is a perfect example of how public-private partnerships should work. Since we started operations in 2017, the Kebbi State government has provided consistent policy support that has enabled us to grow from a small operation to a major contributor to Nigeria’s rice sufficiency,” he said. The company sources over 70 per cent of its paddy from Kebbi farmers, with additional volumes sourced from neighboring states to meet growing demand.

Brazil’s Deputy Vice Minister of Agriculture, Cleber Oliveira Soares, added: “The Brazilian government is committed to enhancing our partnership with Nigeria in agricultural production. We are particularly interested in collaborating on crops like corn, soybeans, and livestock development. What TGI has achieved here in rice production is exactly the kind of success story we want to replicate across more agricultural value chains.”

The Brazilian delegation expressed admiration for TGI’s world-class facilities and the quality of Nigerian rice production. A representative of the Brazilian Rice Association, Renato Franzner, remarked: “I am truly astonished by what I’ve seen here today. This facility is world-class by any standard – it can compete with the best rice mills in Brazil.

“The quality of the installations and the rice produced here is exceptional. As representatives of Brazil’s rice industry, we see tremendous opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.”

The Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, who first received the delegation at the state house, emphasised the state’s readiness to collaborate with global partners. “Kebbi is Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse, and we are eager to leverage Brazil’s expertise in crop production, livestock, and agro processing to unlock new opportunities for our people,” the governor stated.