The launch of this roadmap comes as Nigeria faces rising food demand, limited uptake of improved seeds and a persistent production shortfall. The country aims to improve the quality and availability of seeds to boost yields and reduce its reliance on imports.

Nigeria launched its Seed Sector Strategy and Investment Plan on Thursday, November 27, at the SeedConnect Africa conference in Abuja. The new roadmap for 2025-2030 was presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) with technical support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The roadmap aims to further structure the seed sector by strengthening the supply and farmers' access to quality, affordable planting materials adapted to the country's realities. The plan provides for a total investment of 2.48 billion naira ($5.76 million) to modernize the seed system and support agricultural development. Nearly 65% of this funding will be dedicated to varietal improvement and quality assurance.

A critical Reform

Dr. Esther Ibrahim, Program Officer for AGRA Nigeria, praised the strategy, noting that it was a clear, ambitious, and evidence-based plan capable of boosting investment, innovation, and farmer confidence. She concluded by saying that AGRA was delighted to support the work.

According to official data shared at the SeedConnect conference, only 11% of maize producers and 3% of cowpea farmers use improved varieties, a situation that limits yields and creates a significant national deficit. The strategy primarily targets maize, aiming to increase production of certified seeds from 50% to 70%, but also covers other strategic crops like rice (from 44% to 60%), sorghum, soy, yam, peanut and wheat. Interventions will also focus on commercial seed production, regulatory reforms and digital planning using tools like SeedTracker and SeedCodex.

Referring to seed as the foundation of agriculture, Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari asserted that through this strategy, Nigeria was showing its resolve to reduce the import bill, close productivity gaps, and equip millions of farmers for success.

“Seed is the foundation of agriculture,” he said. “With this Strategy, Nigeria is signaling its determination to close productivity gaps, reduce food import bills, and empower millions of smallholder farmers with the tools they need to thrive. High-quality seed is the beginning of a stronger and more resilient agricultural economy.”

The roadmap comes at a critical time. With over 230 million people to feed, Nigeria must increase its production and reduce a food import bill that averaged $5.5 billion per year between 2021 and 2023. The country has significant agricultural potential, but smallholders, who account for nearly 80% of farmers, remain hampered by limited access to credit, inputs and quality seeds. Informal exchange networks still dominate distribution, while certification mechanisms remain weak and information flows poorly.

According to an analysis conducted by the Seed System Assessment Tool (SeedSAT), Nigeria's seed sector is operating at only 45% of its overall potential. This hampers yield improvement in a context where domestic demand is growing faster than production. For example, maize production fails to meet an estimated demand of 12 to 15 million tons, creating a structural deficit of about 4 million tons, according to official data.

The implementation of the new strategy could help clarify the regulatory framework and further structure a still fragmented seed market. The stated goal is to improve farmers' access to quality planting materials, a necessary condition for increasing yields in an environment marked by climate variability, soil depletion and continuously rising food needs.

Challenges and Outlook

The effectiveness of this reform will depend on several structural factors. The deployment of the regulatory framework will need to be accompanied by an enabling environment for private investment, particularly in Early Generation Seeds production, certification, distribution and varietal research. Better coordination between public and private actors will also be needed to secure volumes, harmonize standards and improve the reliability of the supply chain.

The plan's success will also largely depend on the capacity to strengthen farmer training and information. In a country where most producers still source seeds through informal channels, raising awareness of the role of quality seeds remains a central challenge. Extension services, agro-dealer networks and digital tools highlighted in the strategy could help improve knowledge of available varieties and promote more informed choices.

Furthermore, the consistent application of reforms at the federal and state levels will be an important test. The diversity of agro-ecological contexts, the presence of private actors of varying capacity and the logistical constraints specific to rural regions are all factors that will influence the roadmap's real impact on agricultural productivity.

Read More :

20/11/2025- Sub-Saharan Africa’s food imports set to reach $65 billion in 2025

09/11/2025- Nigeria Aims for Sugar Self-Sufficiency with New Farmer Program

30/10/205- Nigerian Senate Reviews Bill to Establish National Rice Council