Abuja – In a bid to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security, the Federal Government and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) have joined forces to address the country’s massive fertiliser utilisation gap.

With a staggering production capacity of 16 million metric tonnes, Nigeria currently consumes a mere 2 million metric tonnes of fertiliser, leaving a huge gap that needs to be filled. This was the focus of a strategic engagement between the Federal Government and FEPSAN in Abuja, where stakeholders discussed ways to improve access to fertiliser for farmers across the country.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, stressed the need for stronger coordination between government agencies and industry stakeholders to ensure fertiliser production translates into higher farm yields. “Farmers are the ultimate beneficiaries of the fertiliser value chain, and collaboration is key to improving productivity,” he said.

FEPSAN President, Abubakar Sadiq Kassim, echoed the minister’s sentiments, noting that despite the growth in production capacity, fertiliser consumption remains low, with Nigeria’s application rate below the continental benchmark. “We need to ensure farmers can access and utilise these inputs effectively to improve yields and strengthen food security,” Kassim said.

The meeting also highlighted the fertiliser industry’s growing role in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, with companies like Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited making significant contributions to urea production.

As Nigeria works to fill its fertiliser gap, stakeholders are optimistic that the collaboration between government and industry will yield positive results, ultimately putting more food on the nation’s table .