Esther Salifu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving national food sovereignty through the successful implementation of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI 3.0), assuring Nigerian farmers of consistent and widespread access to quality fertilizer.
The move comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu doubles down on his administration’s food security strategy, with the launch of PFI 3.0 marking a new phase in ensuring stable fertilizer supply and building resilience against global market shocks.
Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), described the initiative as a defining step for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“We are meticulously building a system that can insulate farmers from global market shocks and instil the confidence needed for long-term agricultural planning,”
“The PFI is a prime example of public–private collaboration that can solve complex national challenges, and its future is a testament to Nigeria’s capacity for strategic reform.” He said
According to fresh government data, from 2022 to date in 2025, 48 vessels have delivered raw materials critical for fertilizer blending. In 2025 alone, 10 vessels have discharged cargoes, providing more than 560,000 metric tonnes of inputs at Nigerian ports.
Officials say this steady inflow has already surpassed the entire supply of 2024.
This reliable pipeline, stakeholders note, has enabled Nigeria to maintain consistent production. Between 2021 and 2024, over 4.5 million metric tonnes of finished fertilizer were produced, while cumulatively, more than 128 million bags have been distributed to farmers nationwide since the programme’s inception in 2016.
The Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) has endorsed the impact of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI).
FEPSAN President, Alhaji Sadiq Kassim, noted:
“We have witnessed significant improvement in productive capacity since the PFI’s inception. The number of operational blending plants has increased to over 90 across the country, giving us a total blending capacity of up to 13 million metric tonnes. This ensures fertilizer is closer to farmers, cutting down transport costs and improving access.”
While praising the gains, industry leaders acknowledged farmers complaints about rising prices in recent years, attributing the challenge to foreign exchange volatility and global raw material costs rather than local scarcity.
To address this, the Federal Government is set to hand operational management of the initiative from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to MOFI by November 2025.
Officials say this transition will provide stronger governance, seamless continuity, and bold reforms under PFI 3.0.
Among the reforms is a push for year-round nationwide availability, tighter traceability to curb hoarding and diversion, and a clear priority to accelerate local sourcing of raw materials.
“Our goal is to increase the share of inputs produced domestically and build a stronger agro-industrial base,” Dr. Takang explained.
“This will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on volatile imports and bring the vision of food sovereignty much closer to reality.”
The Federal Government insists the programme’s central mission remains unchanged to provide Nigerian farmers with timely, affordable, and reliable access to fertilizer, strengthening the foundation of national food security.
