The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders in the fertilizer industry to increase fertilizer consumption, improve agricultural productivity, and advance Nigeria’s food security agenda.
This formed the focus of a strategic engagement between a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, and the leadership of the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), headed by its President, Abubakar Sadiq Kassim.
The meeting, held on Wednesday in Abuja, provided an opportunity for both parties to review developments within Nigeria’s fertilizer industry and explore ways of improving access to fertilizers for farmers nationwide.
During the meeting, FEPSAN presented an overview of the sector, highlighting significant expansion in recent years. According to the association, the number of fertilizer blending and manufacturing plants in Nigeria has grown from about 38 in 2015 to more than 100 across the country, reflecting increased private sector investment, higher production capacity, and expanded employment opportunities.
Despite this growth, FEPSAN expressed concern over the relatively low level of fertilizer consumption in Nigeria. The association noted that while the country currently has an estimated annual production capacity of about 16 million metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers, domestic consumption stands at approximately 2 million metric tonnes.
FEPSAN also pointed out that Nigeria’s fertilizer application rate remains below the continental benchmark, with farmers applying about 24 kilograms per hectare compared to the African target of 50 kilograms per hectare.
Speaking during the engagement, FEPSAN President Abubakar Sadiq Kassim said increasing fertilizer usage is critical to improving crop yields and sustaining agricultural growth.
He noted that although Nigeria has made significant progress in expanding fertilizer production capacity, the key challenge remains ensuring that farmers can easily access and effectively use the inputs to improve yields and strengthen national food security.
Discussions at the meeting also highlighted the growing role of Nigeria’s fertilizer industry in the non-oil export sector. Major companies such as Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals and Dangote Fertilizer Limited were cited for their contributions to urea production for both domestic use and export.
Participants also recalled the establishment of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative following a state visit by former President Muhammadu Buhari to Morocco, which laid the groundwork for local fertilizer blending using locally sourced materials combined with imported raw inputs.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, emphasized the need for stronger coordination between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure that fertilizer production translates into tangible benefits for farmers.
He noted that improved collaboration between government and industry stakeholders would help ensure higher yields for farmers and strengthen the country’s food security.
Both parties agreed to deepen collaboration and explore practical strategies to stimulate fertilizer demand, support local production, and improve access for farmers across Nigeria.
