Over 50 years, Stallion has successfully navigated the Nigerian terrain and has become a time-tested conglomerate that has its presence across the Nigerian economy says the GROUP CEO Mr. Anant Badjatya
As a private sector player in the in the Nigerian economy with interest in the growth of Indo-Nigeria relationship and investment, could you speak on the current relationship and the growth trajectory of the two countries?
Over 50 years, Stallion has successfully navigated the Nigerian terrain and has become a time-tested conglomerate that has its presence across the Nigerian economy. Our journey started with the commodities business in late 1969 and since then Stallion Group has adopted global best practices practiced by large populous countries like India and localized it to develop scalable, impactful and sustainable businesses in Nigeria. Today the brand stands for integrity, dedication, resourcefulness and determination to succeed and empower Nigerians. It employs thousands directly and indirectly; it is one of the foremost conglomerates hugely invested in the country gaining respect and trust of the community.
India supported independence of African countries from colonial rule and established its diplomatic mission in 1958 – two years before Nigeria officially gained independence from British rule. Since the restoration of democracy, Nigeria has joined India in becoming the largest democracies in their respective regions with diverse religious and ethnic populations. The bilateral relations between Nigeria and India boasts of strategic and commercial ties leading to considerable expansion of commerce in the last decade.
Given the current relationship, how has it impacted on your firm’s operations?
Stallion is a proud Nigerian organization. Both nations have a lot of commonalities. It has further collaborated with some of the best brands in India and brought direct investments into Nigeria like Ashok Leyland & Bajaj Auto Ltd. Further Stallion exports commodities that are locally produced to build a steady flow of forex.
Could you speak of your Group’s operation in Nigeria and the impact of your Nigerian partners and investors, if any, and the level of your investment?
Stallion brand is now a household name in Nigeria touching lives everyday with its products, be it rice, commodities, fish, auto sales & distribution, assembling, plastics &packaging, steel or business solution service. It prides in having the largest installed rice milling capacity (working directly with more than 40000 farmers across Nigeria), largest and best equipped auto manufacturing and assembly plant in West Africa feeding its state-of-the-art nationwide dealer network for 10 global auto brands facilitating vehicle sales, leasing and aftersales, the largest Tilapia aquaculture farm, largest cold storage capacity, fertilizer blending plant, state of the art flexible packaging plant, plastics factory, clearing, transportation logistics and warehousing solutions, a cutting-edge audio visual automation solution provider.
It owns 45% of the New Car Business, undoubtedly one of the strongest players in the automobile category by the virtue of its vast distribution network. Recently, Stallion Auto Keke Ltd, a Stallion Group company was awarded the distributorship for the 3 wheeler and 4 wheeler business for Bajaj Auto in Nigeria. Bajaj Auto a world known company with Indian origin is loved in 70 countries, the alliance will go a long way in empowering Nigerians to be self-reliant and improve the interests of the stakeholders.
The philanthropic arm of Stallion, Stallion Empowerment Initiative focuses on education, healthcare, low housing and youth empowerment for the community. It supports operation of 2 primary schools and 1 technical high school with 3600 students and a 75-bed hospital and low housing public estate respectively in Nigeria. The Foundation continues to donate rice and fish to all Government affiliated COVID hospitals across Nigeria along with Buses,drivers and fuel for transportation of health care workers to all COVID care hospitals in Lagos. It partnered with a mobile healthcare provider it offered free consultation and treatment of 70 common ailments through 11 mobile clinics across Lagos. More than 20000 Lagosians benefitted over the last 3 months.
One of the objectives of diplomatic relationship is to foster trade and commerce. What area/s of improvement do you see in Indo-Nigeria relations and what solutions will you proffer?
India and Nigeria enjoy warm, friendly and deep-rooted bilateral relations, India is Nigeria’s largest trading partner and Nigeria is India’s largest trading partner in Africa. The focus now should be on getting larger foreign investments to the country for better employability and robust growth in economy and support policies that increase domestic production and make Nigeria self-sufficient. Nigerian Government took a step towards this in the agricultural sector last year. It took drastic steps to reduce its rice importation for boosting domestic production, this trend should continue for achieving self-sufficiency in rice. Stallion Group company with popular brands like Royal Stallion, Caprice and Tomato King is leading this drive by facilitating effective backward integration and producing the best quality locally sourced and milled rice in Nigeria.
Speak on your company’s vision, mission, business offerings and the drivers of the business?
Stallion’s mission is to embrace local production, talent and people in achieving Nigeria’s unlimited potential. Serve and satisfy customers with our innovative offering, high service orientation and excellent technical competency. Adopting high ethical and moral standards for integral business growths. Stallion is dedicated towards the well-being of the country.
Speak on your future investment plan for the business?
Stallion is deeply invested in Nigeria and continues to be convinced of the growth potential of Nigeria. The group is planning further investments in its rice milling and agric business, steel, aquaculture, packaging and fertilizer business.
What is your message to the India Nation, the Nationals in Nigeria, High Commission officials as we celebrate this 73 Independence Day?
India will celebrate its 73rd Independence Day, Stallion Group pays tribute to the freedom fighters of both countries who were in the forefront of international anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggle. Over 135 companies are owned and/or operated by Indians or Persons-of-Indian Origin in Nigeria. The enormous goodwill earned by Indians in Nigeria is a testimony to the exemplary bilateral ties and long-standing relationship and the opportunities that this great country Nigeria offers to Indian entrepreneurs and businesses. Stallion on its 51st h year will continue to invest and pledge its allegiance towards Nigeria to build a stronger & inclusive nation.