Nigeria eyes seed market growth to drive food security, export revenue
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has emphasized that Nigeria’s path to food security and export competitiveness hinges on farmers’ access to affordable, high-quality seeds. Speaking during a meeting with the OECD evaluation mission in Abuja, the minister stressed that seed quality is the foundation of agricultural productivity, and that Nigeria must bridge its current yield gap with improved varieties that are pest- and drought-resistant, climate-smart, and capable of meeting international residue standards.
He highlighted the dangers of fraudulent seed practices, where uncertified grains are passed off as seeds, underscoring the urgent need for stronger oversight, more inspectors, and tighter regulation. Abdullahi also assured that Nigeria will continue to align with global best practices while creating opportunities for seed entrepreneurs and expanding irrigation to support year-round farming.
The Director-General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Dr. Fatuhu Muhammadu, noted Nigeria’s recent progress since joining the OECD Seed Schemes in 2023, including training seed actors across West and Central Africa. OECD officials commended Nigeria’s commitment, stressing that high-quality seeds are central to food security, sustainable farming, and economic growth within ECOWAS and beyond.
Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
Access to high-quality seeds is rightly being positioned as the bedrock of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. For stakeholders, this development carries several key implications:
- Boosting Yield and Export Potential
Nigeria’s persistent yield gap is largely linked to poor seed quality. By ensuring farmers have access to climate-smart, pest- and disease-resistant varieties, productivity can significantly improve. This, in turn, will strengthen Nigeria’s ability to compete in export markets, especially as buyers increasingly demand produce with lower chemical residues. - Curbing Fraudulent Seed Practices
The minister’s acknowledgment of fraud in the seed system is critical. A crackdown on grain masquerading as seed, coupled with better regulation and more inspectors, will protect farmers from losses and improve trust in the seed market. This is also essential for attracting private-sector investment into the seed industry. - Leveraging OECD Membership for Trade
Nigeria’s integration into the OECD Seed Schemes creates opportunities for harmonised standards across ECOWAS and beyond. This will ease regional trade, expand markets for seed entrepreneurs, and position Nigeria as a seed hub in Africa. - Link to Food Security and Rural Livelihoods
Improved seeds will not only increase output but also reduce dependence on agrochemicals, enhance nutrition, and create higher-value crops. For rural farmers, this means higher incomes and stronger resilience to climate shocks. - Opportunity for Seed Entrepreneurs and Investors
With nearly 70% of seed demand still met informally, there is a vast business opportunity in Nigeria’s seed industry. The call for all-year farming, irrigation expansion, and tailored seed varieties signals government backing for seed entrepreneurs willing to invest in quality assurance and innovation.
In conclusion, strengthening Nigeria’s seed system is more than a technical necessity—it is a strategic economic move. If properly executed, this reform could transform Nigeria from a food-deficit nation into a regional seed and food powerhouse.
