…Shettima hails conglomerate’s expansion, assures protection of investments
The Federal Government on Thursday welcomed the renewed multi-million-dollar investment drive of Africa’s agribusiness giant, Export Trading Group (ETG), in Nigeria, with Vice President Kashim Shettima assuring the conglomerate of the administration’s full commitment to securing and supporting its ventures across the country.
Receiving a delegation from ETG led by its Global Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Niren Murugan, at the State House, Abuja, the Vice President said the company’s expanded investments, expected to generate over 6,000 jobs, reflect growing global confidence in the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Senator Shettima described ETG’s interests in agro-logistics, fertilizer systems, seed production, industrial processing, and other segments of the agricultural value chain as timely and perfectly aligned with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, “you have been in the country since 2010, but this time around you have decided to play a more active role in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. This is where the action is.
“We have the population and abundance of resources for your investments to thrive. All your investment decisions are wonderful”, Shettima said.
The Vice President commended the conglomerate’s planned Centres of Agro-Excellence and praised ETG’s interventions in seed development, oil processing, fertilizer blending, and agricultural extension services.
He urged the company to maximise the opportunities available across states to boost food production and expand its role in the nation’s agricultural transformation.
Earlier, ETG Global COO Murugan said the group’s mission was to reinforce its investment footprint in Nigeria, secure strategic alignment with the government, and strengthen collaboration with federal and state actors.
He disclosed that ETG’s expanded oil processing facility in Sagamu, Ogun State, will begin operations in the second quarter of 2026.
Murugan also announced proposed investments in fertilizer blending, seed production, and integrated agro-logistics, alongside a major collaboration to establish Centres of Agro-Excellence in Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Ekiti, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Borno States.
The centres are expected to serve as regional hubs for input distribution, mechanisation, storage, and primary processing.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, who participated in the meeting, pledged the state’s readiness to partner with ETG to unlock its vast agricultural potential.
He said sweeping reforms by his administration were already boosting productivity and positioning Cross River as a sub-national economic hub.
“We can match your vision end-to-end. We have the land, the mineral resources, and the enabling environment to make it happen,” Governor Otu assured the delegation.
He also highlighted opportunities in port development, particularly the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the Calabar Port revival plan.
Also in attendance were ETG’s Business Manager in Nigeria, Mr. Ogu Goodluck; Senior Business Development Manager, Mr. Bharat Shinde; and the conglomerate’s Chief Financial Officer, Amin Ahmad.