Flour Mills Leads Federal Government’s Silo Revitalisation Drive in Nigeria

News in brief:

-Flour Mills of Nigeria is the only private company fully meeting conditions under the FG’s silo concession programme, improving grain storage, market access, and food availability.

-With investments in crops like wheat, sugarcane, cassava, and soybeans, FMN is helping farmers cut post-harvest losses and boost Nigeria’s drive toward food self-sufficiency.

Nigeria has long battled post-harvest food losses, with grains often rotting away due to poor storage. In a country where smallholder farmers produce the bulk of food, this wastage worsens hunger and food inflation. To tackle the problem, the Federal Government launched a silo concession programme to hand over state-owned storage facilities to the private sector for effective management.

Today, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) has emerged as the only private company meeting all requirements and performing optimally under this initiative.

The Federal Government’s Silo Revitalisation Programme

The silo concession is part of a larger push for food security championed by Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. The project aligns with the 2017 Federal Government concession of 22 out of 33 silo complexes nationwide, supervised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, only FMN, which operates three silo complexes through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), has fully complied and is delivering results.

“The goal is to reduce food wastage, improve grain availability and stabilise prices for Nigerians,” said Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head of Information at the Ministry.

FMN’s Commitment to Nigeria’s Food System

Speaking on the achievement, Boye Olusanya, CEO of Flour Mills of Nigeria, highlighted FMN’s six decades of contribution to national development.

“FMN is more than a company; it is a strong ally in Nigeria’s growth story. For over 60 years, we have provided direct and indirect employment to millions of families. Our operations are built on trust, sustainability, and service to the nation,” Olusanya said.

He added that FMN will continue to partner with the Federal Government to ensure the country achieves food self-sufficiency.

FMN’s Agricultural Investments

FMN’s involvement in agriculture is not new. The company began large-scale farming in 1978 when it acquired a 10,000-hectare farm in Kaboji, Niger State. Since then, it has expanded into cultivating and processing crops such as:

• Wheat, maize, and sorghum for flour and feed production
• Sugarcane and cassava to support Nigeria’s sugar and starch industries
• Palm fruits and soybeans for oil and protein products

The company also invests heavily in grain storage, aggregation, and distribution, helping farmers reduce losses and get fairer prices for their harvests.

Why This Matters for Nigerian Farmers

Nigeria loses up to 30–40% of grains annually due to poor storage facilities, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). With FMN revitalising silos, farmers now have structured markets and safe storage for their produce, reducing losses and boosting incomes.

Agricultural experts say such partnerships between government and private players are critical for achieving food security. By strengthening the grain value chain, farmers benefit from better prices, stable demand, and improved access to processing facilities.