The new director-general of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Fatuhu Muhammadu Buhari, has assumed duties with a pledge to transform Nigeria’s seed sector into a cornerstone of national food security and economic sustainability.
At the handover ceremony at the NASC headquarters in Sheda, Kwali, Abuja, the outgoing acting director-general, Dr Ishiak Khalid who served from May 2023 to March 2025, formally transferred leadership responsibilities in the presence of key stakeholders, including board members and management staff.
In his inaugural address, Fatuhu expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the trust reposed in him, acknowledging the president’s commitment to agricultural revitalisation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Fatuhu outlined a roadmap focused on strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing seed quality assurance, expanding seed multiplication programs and fostering innovation through collaboration with research institutions and agri-tech stakeholders.
He also called for a united effort from all actors across the agricultural value chain.
The former DG, Dr Ishiak Khalid, said under his leadership, NASC launched several key initiatives, including the SEEDCODEX digital traceability platform, seed quality testing laboratories, and nationwide empowerment programs targeting youth and women.
He stated that the council also gained admission into the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), the OECD Seed Schemes, and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), boosting Nigeria’s credibility in the global seed market.
Despite notable progress, the outgoing DG acknowledged ongoing challenges, including inadequate funding, aging infrastructure, and the need for a national seed reserve to combat climate-induced risks.
He expressed confidence in the new leadership’s capacity to overcome these hurdles and elevate the sector.
Board Chairman of NASC, Austin Agada, commended the outgoing leadership for its vision and resilience, while assuring the new DG of the board’s full support in advancing the councils mandate.
