By Abbas Nazil
The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) is intensifying efforts to ensure Nigerian farmers gain uninterrupted access to fertilizer as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for food sovereignty.
As the programme transitions into its third phase, PFI 3.0, it is focusing on building a stable supply of raw materials to blending plants across the country, with the ultimate aim of achieving self-sufficiency in crop production for both food and industrial purposes.
According to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), more raw materials have already been supplied or ordered in 2025 than the total supplied in 2024, and warehouses nationwide are being stocked to meet blending capacity.
Between 2022 and 2025, 48 vessels delivered critical inputs for fertilizer blending under the PFI, with 10 vessels in 2025 alone accounting for over 560,000 metric tonnes of raw materials discharged at Nigerian ports.
Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, Managing Director of MOFI, stressed that the PFI is designed to shield farmers from global market shocks and instill confidence for long-term planning.
He described it as a model of public–private collaboration that addresses national challenges while strengthening resilience in the agricultural sector.
Since its inception, the PFI has facilitated the production of over 128 million bags of fertilizer, with more than 4.5 million metric tonnes produced between 2021 and 2024.
The Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) noted that operational blending plants have grown to over 90 nationwide, with a combined capacity of 13 million metric tonnes, ensuring fertilizer is closer to farmers and reducing transport costs.
While industry leaders acknowledge farmer concerns over rising prices, they attribute these challenges to foreign exchange volatility and global raw material costs rather than local shortages.
PFI 3.0, endorsed at the August 2025 Stakeholder Roundtable, will be managed by MOFI starting November 2025.
The next phase will prioritize year-round nationwide availability, cost efficiency, traceability to reduce hoarding, and a stronger push for local sourcing to reduce dependence on imports and reinforce Nigeria’s agro-industrial base.
