As far back as March 2025, the Kebbi State Government and the MSM Group have entered into a strategic partnership with MSM Group of Companies to establish a state-of-the-art cement plant, with a target to generate 45,000 jobs and accelerate economic growth in the state.

Speaking at the signing ceremony yesterday in Abuja, Governor Nasir Idris said the project is a major breakthrough for economic development and a lifeline for thousands of unemployed youth and women in the state.

“I am delighted that Kebbi has been chosen for this major investment. The MSM Cement Plant will provide direct and indirect employment to 45,000 people, boosting our economy and transforming lives,” Governor Idris said.

He also assured MSM Group of the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for business growth, noting the project’s long-term benefits for the state, federal government, and local communities.

The chairman of MSM Group, Muazzam Mairawani, highlighted the strategic importance of the investment, saying the MSM Kebbi Cement Plant will utilize cutting-edge technology to enhance production and efficiency.

“Today, we are not just signing a document; we are laying the foundation for an industrial revolution in Kebbi. Our decision to invest here is driven by the state’s business-friendly policies and the leadership of Governor Idris,” he said.

Mairawani said that the cement plant would strengthen Nigeria’s industrial sector, ensuring a steady supply of cement for local and international markets.

Beyond the partnership, observers consider the move by the MSM Group as a bold step towards expanding competition in the cement industry as the plant, when commissioned, can comfortably rival some existing major players in the industry.

According to the MSM Group, the project will deliver a 12 million tons capacity cement factory which will be delivered in clusters with each cluster costing $600m (about N1 trillion) each.

Some of the major players in the industry are Dangote Cement with 52 million metric tons across the continent as of 2024 with 35.25 million tonnes in Nigeria.

BUA cement on its part has a capacity of about 20m metric tons; Lafarge 10m metric tons; Ibeto 5m, among others.

But the MSM Group with a target of 12m tons is planning to enter the cement industry with a bold statement.

A peep into MSM Group

The MSM Group has been in operation since 2011 and is in control of OML 98 and aimed to complement the federal government’s drive to produce 2 million barrels of crude per day.

One of the assets it controls is the OML 98 which has a reserve of 118 million barrels.

“But in less than six months of our commitment to that asset, we went back to say we have found additional 126 million barrels for. So the total of that asset now is no more 118 million barrels, it is 244 million barrels,” Chairman of MSM Group, Muazzam Mairawani, a renowned businessman said.

MSM’s milestone

He said, “This was achieved based on the technical expertise we have at MSM Oil and Gas, we don’t use seismic, we just use the data. Also, MSM is working with the elderly people as we need the experience. We need their exposure. So in our team, they all have about three decades experience in the oil and gas sector, mainly upstream.

“I am happy to tell you that now, as I’m speaking to you, we are almost at 99% of closing the IPO in the United States of America for MSM Frontier Capital Acquisition, we are going to be raising $225m within this month and we will continue as our target is to do $2.7bn investment to Nigeria. So, without the President’s support, MSM would not have achieved all this.”

Muazzam Mairawani

Muazzam Mairawani, also known as MSM, is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and the Chairman of MSM Group, a diversified conglomerate with a strong focus on oil and gas exploration and production.

MSM who is in his 30s was born in Kano State. He started as a young entrepreneur in the commercial capital of Northern Nigeria and a member of the state chamber of commerce and industry (KACCIMA).

After completing his early education in Nigeria, he had his higher degrees outside the shores of Nigeria, starting with a degree in business and technology, including a BSc in Business Information Systems from the University of Middlesex, London, and diploma and advanced diploma in Computing from Informatics Academy, Singapore.

He first gained recognition by franchising Tangaza mobile pay during Nigeria’s shift towards a cashless policy.

According to the MSM Group website, Muazzam was born into one of Africa’s wealthiest families, maintaining strong political and economic ties within Nigeria and across Africa as a whole.

“In his business ventures, Muazzam has leveraged his connections to foster strategic partnerships with major industry players. His approach is characterized by a commitment to ethical business practices, strategic alliances, and fostering sustainable development,” the website said.

Active member of Kano Chamber of Commerce

Over the years, MSM Group expanded into oil and gas, agriculture, logistics, shipping, fintech, travel, cement production, and the automotive sector.

President of Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Ambassador Usman Hassan Darma said the chamber is proud of the business exploits of Muazzam Mairawani whom he described as an active member of the chamber.

He said as a young man who started with petty trading in the ancient city, Mairawani exhibits uncommon commitment to expand his business empire by venturing into cement production following in the footsteps of two prominent sons of Kano: Aliko Dangote and Abdul Samad Rabiu of BUA fame.

“It is a source of pride for me as the KACCIMA President to see the prospects of an active member manifestly coming to fruition. Mairawani is another success story from Kano and I believe he will succeed in his foray into cement production business just like Dangote and BUA who are not only on top of the cement business in the country but are expanding their frontiers to the rest of Africa,” Darma said.

He pledged KACCIMA’s continuous business collaboration and support to Mairawani and his group to explore opportunities yet untapped in other critical sectors of the economy. (Daily Trust)