FG applauds Flour Mills’ performance in silo concession programme
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has been recognised by the Federal Government as the only private company fulfilling all conditions under the ongoing silo concession revitalisation programme.
The company made the disclosure in a statement to The PUNCH, highlighting its role in supporting the government’s food self-sufficiency agenda through sustained agricultural investments.
According to the statement, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, commended FMN’s performance, noting that the Group remains the sole private operator meeting obligations under the concession scheme.
“Out of the 17 silo complexes conceded to five private companies, only Flour Mills of Nigeria, which operates three silo complexes under three separate Special Purpose Vehicles, has met all conditions and is performing optimally,” Kyari was quoted as saying.
The silo concession revitalisation programme, which aligns with the 2017 Federal Government initiative under the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, is designed to curb post-harvest losses, make grains more affordable, and strengthen national food reserves. Of the 33 silo complexes nationwide, 22 have been leased to private operators.
FMN explained that its agricultural drive began in 1978 with the acquisition of a 10,000-hectare farm in Kaboji, Niger State, as part of a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on imports and promote local cultivation. Over the years, the company has expanded into growing soybeans, cassava, sugarcane, maize, sorghum, wheat, and palm fruits, alongside investing heavily in grain storage, aggregation, and distribution.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FMN, Boye Olusanya, said the recognition underscored the company’s role as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s economic development.
“FMN is more than a company to Nigeria but also a strong ally in growth and development. For over six decades, the Group has been a source of livelihood for millions of Nigerian families by providing both direct and indirect employment,” Olusanya said.
He added, “And more than any other business in the country, we have guarded our national heritage with trust, ensuring that our activities are sustainable for the country, the environment, and most importantly, for the people. FMN remains a committed ally and partner for the Federal Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the leadership of Senator Abubakar Kyari in his transformative projects towards driving food self-sufficiency in Nigeria.”
Industry observers note that FMN’s investments in backward integration, farmer empowerment, and import substitution reflect the potential of private sector alignment with national agricultural policy.
Founded in 1960 as Nigeria’s pioneer wheat miller, FMN has evolved into one of the country’s largest food and agro-allied groups, with diverse operations spanning flour, pasta, sugar, edible oils, animal feeds, and large-scale farming.
