Food security: FG looks to stop fertiliser imports via local production
July 1, 2026 9:58 pm
The Federal Government has said that increased local production of fertiliser remains central to reducing dependence on food imports, lowering production costs and boosting agricultural productivity.
The FG stated this during the inspection of fertiliser production and blending facilities across the country, stressing that local fertiliser production is key to Nigeria’s food security.
The inspection delegation was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Engagement and New Media Strategy, O’tega Ogra, according to a statement from Ogra’s office on Wednesday.
The exercise took the presidential fact-finding delegation to major fertiliser production and blending plants in Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers, and other states participating in the restructured Presidential Fertiliser Initiative under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.
During the tour from June 18 to June 21, 2026, the delegation assessed production capacity, quality control measures, operational efficiency, and the impact of the FG’s intervention on making quality fertiliser available and affordable to Nigerian farmers.
Speaking during the inspection in Kaduna, Ogra said local fertiliser production has become a strategic national priority amid rising input costs.
According to him, Nigeria possesses abundant raw materials required for fertiliser production and must continue to maximise local capacity to guarantee sustainable food production.
“When we have about 80 per cent of the raw materials in Nigeria and can produce fertilisers, why import them? If we have locally produced fertilisers with proper quality control, the standard of farming will improve, crop yields will increase, and we will strengthen food security and food sovereignty in our country,” he said.
Ogra noted that the FG’s investment in local fertiliser production is designed not only to protect farmers from fluctuations in global prices but also to improve agricultural output, create jobs, and deepen industrial development.
At OCP Africa’s Kaduna Blending Plant, the delegation inspected the company’s specialised blending process.
The General Manager of the plant, Peter Amahwe, said quality assurance is critical to protecting the investments of Nigerian farmers.
“At the end of the day, what is key is that when the farmer is paying for these nutrients, he knows that the nutrients he is paying for are exactly what he is getting. The labour, seeds, and every other investment depend on that quality. If the fertiliser is compromised, the farmer’s entire production plan is affected,” he said.
According to him, OCP Africa conducts extensive laboratory analysis to develop customised fertiliser blends for crops, including maize, rice, cocoa, ginger, and several other agricultural commodities cultivated across the country.
The inspection team also visited Barbedos Fertilisers & Blending Company Limited in Kaduna, where officials toured a facility with a blending capacity of about 90 metric tonnes per hour.
The company’s Production Manager, Nasser Ismail, said local blending has significantly reduced production costs while creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
“Our primary objective is to produce high-quality fertiliser blends specifically tailored to meet the distinct soil and crop requirements of Nigerian farmers. By blending locally, we are reducing costs, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for young people and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.
He added that the company deploys moisture-resistant BOPP-coated packaging to preserve fertiliser quality from production through transportation to farms across the country.
The FG has continued to reposition the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative by promoting local blending and encouraging the utilisation of indigenous raw materials while importing only essential components such as phosphate.
The initiative is aimed at shielding Nigerian farmers from international market volatility, improving access to quality fertilisers, and strengthening domestic agricultural production.
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