thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT), a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Uhde, has entered into a strategic agreement with Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL) to license its advanced UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.
The agreement includes the provision of the technology licence, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and the supply of proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers.
Each of the four new units will have a nameplate capacity of 4,235 metric tons per day, significantly boosting DFL’s annual urea granule production from approximately 2.65 million tons to over 8 million tons. These units will be constructed in Lekki, adjacent to DFL’s existing fertilizer complexes, which hav By Salifu Usman, Abuja
In response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to review the 2026 Hajj fares due to the continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar, the commission has announced a modest 6.64% reduction from the previously stated fare.
Initially, the commission had set the official fare at N8.2 million for northern pilgrims and N8.5 million for those from the south. Unsatisfied with this fare, given the naira’s continued appreciation, President Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, ordered an immediate review last month.
While many intending Nigerian pilgrims had hoped for a significant reduction, their expectations were dashed as NAHCON revealed a mere decrease of N548,043.91 (6.64%) from the original fare. Pilgrims from the Maiduguri/Yola Zone will now pay N7,579,020.96, down from the previously announced N8,118,033.67.
For other northern states, the fee will be N7,696,769.76 instead of the earlier N8,244,813.67. Pilgrims from the southern states will pay N7,991,141.76, reduced from N8,561,013.67.
In a statement released on Monday by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara, the commission clarified that the revised fares were determined based on an exchange rate of N1,443 per US dollar. Consequently, intending pilgrims in the respective zones will benefit from reductions of N539,013, N548,043.91, and N569,871.91.
The statement further advised intending pilgrims to complete their Hajj fare remittances by December 5, 2026, to ensure that all transfers to NAHCON’s IBAN account are completed before Saudi Arabia’s payment deadline of December 21.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that this deadline will not be extended. “It is important to note that transfers into IBAN accounts can take between ten days and two weeks to be credited, making adherence to the earlier deadline essential,” NAHCON stated.
At a meeting held on November 10, 2025, it was announced that the previous allocation of slots to states had been revoked. Instead, states that remit their Hajj fares promptly will secure slots on a first-come, first-served basis.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum of States, Alhaji Idris Almakura, urged his colleagues to expedite their assignments in Saudi Arabia and return to Nigeria swiftly to mobilise for Hajj registration, given the stringent time constraints for Nigeria to meet its quota for the 2025 pilgrimage.
e been operating with UFT technology since 2021 and produce 3,850 metric tons per day each.
The new facilities will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system, designed to minimise pressure drop while effectively controlling dust and ammonia emissions to meet stringent environmental standards. Additionally, the plants will feature the Ammonia Convert Technology (ACT), which integrates ammonium sulfate byproducts into the urea granules, eliminating waste streams and offering logistical and commercial advantages.
Speaking on the partnership, the CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, Nadja Haakansson said, “this partnership with Dangote Fertiliser Limited underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security. By deploying our proven UFT® Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, we are setting new standards in efficiency and environmental stewardship in fertilizer production. We are proud to support DFL in building resilient and future-ready value chains.”
The president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote stated that, “we are pleased to deepen our collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology for the expansion of our fertilizer operations in Lekki. This initiative reflects our commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial progress across Africa.
“With UFT technology, we are ensuring the production of high-quality urea fertilizer that meets global standards while reducing environmental impact. This investment further positions Nigeria as a leading fertilizer producer.”
Dangote Fertiliser Limited is one of Africa’s largest fertilizer producers, committed to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting food security across the continent, while thyssenkrupp Uhde’s UFT® Fluid Bed Granulation Technology is recognized globally as one of the most advanced solutions for producing urea granules.
Currently, over 70 per cent of the world’s urea granule output is produced using this technology, contributing significantly to global food supply while maintaining emissions well below regulatory limits.
