Strategic Fertiliser Contracts Saved Nigeria N61.58bn In 2026 – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for their roles in strengthening Nigeria’s fertiliser value chain, improving farmers’ access, supporting local production, and advancing the administration’s food security agenda.

President Tinubu said the interventions implemented through the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), now restructured under MOFI, and the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (RH-FISP), implemented through NADF, demonstrate the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promise to make food security a major pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“When we came into office, we made a promise to Nigerians that food security would be a major pillar of our Renewed Hope Agenda. We promised to support our farmers, strengthen local production, reduce dependence on imports, and build an agricultural system strong enough to withstand shocks from beyond our borders. That promise is being kept,” the President said in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

President Tinubu noted that disruptions in global supply chains and rising costs of key fertiliser inputs, compounded by conflict in the Middle East, posed significant risks to agricultural productivity and food prices worldwide. He said Nigeria moved early to mitigate these risks through strategic interventions across the fertiliser value chain.

According to the President, through the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative under MOFI, the government strengthened procurement systems, secured critical raw materials, signed forward supply agreements, improved coordination across the value chain, and protected local fertiliser blending plants from the worst effects of global market disruptions.

As of May 2026, more than 449,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser inputs, equivalent to approximately nine million bags, had been secured, with 10 vessels either discharged or in transit.

President Tinubu said Nigeria remains on course to deliver a 1.1 million metric tonne fertiliser programme in 2026, equivalent to about 22 million bags nationwide.

He further disclosed that strategic contracting arrangements for key fertiliser inputs generated savings of ₦61.58 billion in 2026 alone, helping to moderate costs and improve affordability for Nigerian farmers.

The President highlighted that Nigeria now has more than 90 operational fertiliser blending plants, giving the country the largest fertiliser blending capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting local industry, employment generation, and agricultural resilience.

President Tinubu said while MOFI’s work had strengthened procurement and protected local blending capacity, NADF’s intervention was focused on last-mile access, ensuring that locally produced fertiliser reaches smallholder farmers in time for the planting season.

“Securing inputs and keeping blending plants active is only the first step. The real test is last-mile access — getting fertiliser to the farmers who need it, when they need it,” the President said.

On fertiliser access for farmers, President Tinubu commended NADF for implementing the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme, which is currently distributing 515,720 bags of locally produced fertiliser to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the current planting season.

He also acknowledged NADF’s efforts in supporting modern agricultural practices through digital extension services, harmonised fertiliser application guidance, and targeted interventions for priority crops, including rice, maize, cassava, and soybean.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting farmers, raising productivity, strengthening agricultural value chains, supporting local industry, and reducing pressure on food prices.

“Our administration will not relent in its efforts to strengthen Nigerian agriculture and protect food security for every Nigerian. This is the meaning of promise made, promise kept. We will continue to take practical steps that improve productivity, support our farmers, and secure our nation’s food future,” the President said.