Zaharadeen Hussaini Matazu is the CEO, Areef & Adhil Ventures, an agro-allied products distributor in Zaria, Kaduna State, who graduated from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria a few years ago. The Katsina State indigene talks to Daily Trust YOUTHVILLE about his vision and his hope to inspire the next generation into the fertiliser blending business.
What motivated you to go into this business?
A friend of mine, an agro-dealer, introduced me to the business. And after my youth service, I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be very profitable for me.
You have been in this business for some years now, what are the challenges?
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The major challenge I am facing is a lack of access to soft loans and government grants.
What are your plans for the business in the next few years?
In the next five years, I am hoping to expand the business by getting a license to set up a fertiliser blending company, especially NPK to produce various categories, among them the 20.10.10, 15.15.15 and 20.10.5.
How can the government support young people like you in this business?
The government can support young people through funding, be it soft loans, with at least a five-year tenure, paid in installments, or grants. This will support the businesses’ growth as it will boost capacity.
What advice do you have for anyone planning to venture into this business?
My advice is that they don’t need much capital to start the business. With the little you have, you can start, because I know many people who came into the business as labourers with no capital, but they are now among the top players in the business.
