Tinubu: Nigeria Averted Fertiliser Crisis, Secured 22 Million Bags for Farmers
ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration successfully prevented a potential fertiliser supply crisis that could have disrupted agricultural production and increased pressure on food prices across the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President said global supply chain challenges, rising input costs, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East had created significant risks for fertiliser availability worldwide. According to him, those challenges threatened to increase production costs for farmers, reduce crop yields, and worsen food inflation if not addressed promptly.
Tinubu stated that the Federal Government moved early through the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), which has been restructured under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), to secure fertiliser inputs and sustain local production.
According to the President, the initiative secured more than 449,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser inputs—equivalent to approximately nine million bags—for blending plants across the country. He added that ten vessels carrying fertiliser materials had either completed discharge operations or were currently in transit to Nigeria.
The President further disclosed that the programme is targeting the production of 1.1 million metric tonnes of fertiliser in 2026, while approximately 22 million bags are expected to be made available to support farming activities this year.
Tinubu also highlighted what he described as significant financial gains from the programme. He said strategic contracting arrangements under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative generated savings of about ₦61.58 billion for the country.
The President noted that the intervention helped protect more than 90 fertiliser blending plants nationwide, preserving jobs, supporting local industrial capacity, and ensuring the continued availability of agricultural inputs. He added that Nigeria currently possesses the largest fertiliser blending capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Fertiliser remains one of the most critical inputs in modern agriculture, particularly for staple crops such as rice, maize, cassava, and soybean. Agricultural experts have long warned that disruptions in fertiliser supply can significantly reduce farm productivity and contribute to higher food prices, especially in countries heavily dependent on domestic food production.
In recent years, global fertiliser markets have experienced volatility driven by supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and geopolitical conflicts affecting major exporting regions. These developments have pushed up prices in many countries, creating challenges for farmers and governments seeking to improve food security.
Beyond securing supplies and supporting production, Tinubu said the government is also focused on ensuring fertiliser reaches farmers through the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme being implemented by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
According to the President, 515,720 bags of locally produced fertiliser are currently being distributed to farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme targets 128,930 smallholder farmers, who make up a significant portion of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce.
Under the initiative, each participating state is expected to receive 20,160 bags of fertiliser for distribution to about 5,040 farmers. The programme prioritises key food and industrial crops, including rice, maize, cassava, and soybean, which play a major role in Nigeria’s food supply chain and agro-processing sector.
Tinubu said the combined interventions reflect his administration’s broader strategy to strengthen food security, support local manufacturing, and reduce the long-term pressure of rising food prices on households.
“This is what food security looks like in practice. We secure the inputs, keep local plants producing, get fertiliser to farmers, raise productivity, and ease pressure on food prices over time,” the President said.
The President added that his administration remains committed to supporting agricultural productivity across the entire value chain as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement comes as the government continues efforts to boost domestic food production, improve agricultural resilience, and address concerns over food affordability in the country.
Editor’s Note: The figures and claims contained in this report were provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement released on Thursday in his verified Facebook page.
