WACOT Limited, a member of the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, has renewed its partnership with the Edo State Government for fertiliser production at the Edo State Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited (ESFCCL) plant in Auchi, BusinessDay reported on October 15, 2026.
The public-private partnership began in 2017. The parties said the renewal aims to raise local fertiliser production, support smallholder farmers and strengthen food security. Neither the companies nor the state disclosed the length of the new term, the plant's capacity or the value of the deal.
A Plant for Crop-Specific Blends
Sadiq Kassim, president of the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and director of corporate affairs at TGI Group, said the Auchi plant is the only facility in the South-South that can produce tailored, crop-specific fertiliser blends for local soils. It also makes specialised chemical blends for farmers in the North-East, according to ThisDay.
"The Auchi facility is of strategic importance to Nigeria's fertilizer industry and national food security," Kassim said, ThisDay reported.
Company and State Commit
WACOT Managing Director Naveen Chaurasia said the agreement shows that public-private partnerships can revive stalled assets and support long-term agricultural growth. "The renewal of this agreement is a strong statement of our long-term commitment to Edo State," he said, according to the same report.
Omoh Anabor, Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investments, said the deal positions the state as a destination for investment, industrial growth, jobs and better access to farm inputs, BusinessDay reported. "This agreement involving the Edo State Government, ESFCCL and WACOT Limited represents far more than a formal transaction," Anabor said, according to ThisDay.
Fertiliser Costs Still a Pressure Point
The renewal comes as farmers continue to report high fertiliser prices. A 50kg bag that some farmers bought for ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 last year and in early 2026 now reportedly sells for ₦45,000 to ₦50,000 in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, The Sun reported on October 20, 2026. The newspaper did not name the source of the price.
At federal level, Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari said early procurement under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative had generated ₦61.58 billion in savings and secured supplies for the 2026 farming season, ThisDay reported on October 6, 2026. He said Nigeria is on course to deliver a 1.1 million metric tonne fertiliser programme this year.
FoodPrices Nigeria tracks grain and vegetable prices across Lagos markets. Fertiliser is one of the largest costs on Nigerian farms, so steadier local supply from plants such as Auchi feeds into what households eventually pay for staples.