Early action averted fertiliser shortages, 1.1m tonne programme on track — Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigeria has moved quickly to shield its agriculture sector from global fertiliser shocks.
President Bola Tinubu revealed this in a statement, noting decisive steps under the restructured Presidential Fertiliser Initiative have limited the worst effects of rising input costs and supply-chain disruption.
“Over the past year, disruptions in global supply chains and rising costs of key fertiliser inputs, exacerbated by conflict in the Middle East, created serious pressure for many countries,” Tinubu said, describing the stakes for Nigeria.
“For Nigeria, the risks were glaring if we failed to move fast. This includes potential input shortages, higher fertiliser prices, pressure on local blending plants, reduced farm productivity, and higher food prices,” he added.
The president said the government acted early through the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), now operating under the Ministry of Fertiliser and Inputs (MOFI), to strengthen procurement, secure critical raw materials and sign forward agreements that improved coordination across the value chain.
“We moved early,” he said, noting measures that protected Nigeria’s local fertiliser blending industry from the worst effects of global market disruption.
As of May 2026, more than 449,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser inputs equivalent to roughly 9 million bags had been secured, with 10 vessels either discharged or in transit, the president said.
He added the government remained on track to deliver a 1.1 million metric tonne fertiliser programme for the year about 22 million bags and that strategic contracting for key inputs generated ₦61.58 billion in savings in 2026 alone, helping to keep fertiliser more affordable for farmers.
The administration also highlighted gains in domestic capacity.
“Nigeria now has more than 90 operational fertiliser blending plants, the largest blending capacity in Sub‑Saharan Africa,” Tinubu said, stressing that the capacity translates into jobs, local production and greater resilience for the food system.
But officials acknowledged that securing inputs is only part of the challenge.
“However, securing inputs and keeping blending plants active and productive, is only the first step. The real test is last‑mile and immediate access,” the president warned, stressing that fertiliser must reach farmers when they need it.
To address distribution and on‑farm uptake, the government has launched the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (RH‑FISP) through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
Under RH‑FISP, 515,720 bags of locally produced fertiliser are being distributed to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory for the current planting season.
The NADF is also supporting modern agriculture through digital extension services, harmonised guidance for fertiliser application and targeted assistance for priority crops including rice, maize, cassava and soybean.
“Our administration will not relent on its efforts to protect farmers, raise productivity, strengthen the agricultural value chain, support local industry, and ease pressure on food prices over time,” Tinubu said, adding: “This is the meaning of promise made, promise kept.”
