By Abbas Nazil
The National Agriculture Seeds Council (NASC) has reiterated the pivotal role of quality seeds in securing Nigeria’s food future and unlocking the full potential of the agribusiness sector.
This reiteration was made by the newly appointed Director General of NASC, Fatuhu Buhari, while taking over the leadership of the Council from the outgoing acting Director General, Dr. Ishiak Khalid.
Buhari underscored that seeds are not only the starting point of agriculture but the foundation of a resilient and productive farming system capable of transforming the nation’s food landscape.
Describing seeds as the “tiny but mighty catalysts of abundance,” Buhari stressed that no thriving agricultural sector can exist without quality seeds.
“Seeds are the first link in the agricultural value chain,” he said. “Without quality seeds, there can be no thriving farms; without thriving farms, there can be no food security.”
The new DG pledged to reposition NASC as a strategic player in Nigeria’s food security architecture by enhancing seed systems, fostering agricultural innovation, and partnering with research institutions and agri-tech firms to develop climate-smart seed varieties resilient to changing environmental conditions.
Buhari also emphasized the need to expand seed multiplication programs to ensure affordability and accessibility for farmers across all regions of the country.
Collaboration, according to Buhari, will be crucial in achieving these goals.
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He stated that the Council is actively engaging seed companies, development agencies, and investors to scale up seed production and distribution.
However, he made it clear that the success of these initiatives will depend on a collective effort. “This is not a journey I can undertake alone,” Buhari noted.
“I call upon farmers—your feedback will guide our policies. Researchers and seed companies—your innovations will drive our progress. Development partners—your support will amplify our impact.”
In his farewell address, Dr. Ishiak Khalid highlighted the Council’s achievements during his tenure.
Notably, Nigeria gained international credibility with its accreditation by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), entry into the OECD Seed Schemes, and its membership as the 80th country in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
These milestones enhanced Nigeria’s global standing in the seed industry and strengthened plant breeders’ rights and innovation.
Khalid also noted institutional reforms, including the restructuring of the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN) into a more accountable entity, the introduction of digital inspection tools, and the launch of the National Seed Roadmap Dashboard to track production, compliance, and investment opportunities in real time.
Board Chairman of NASC, Austine Agada, reinforced the message that food security is vital to resolving Nigeria’s broader socioeconomic issues.
He expressed confidence in Buhari’s leadership, affirming that the outgoing DG had established a robust foundation for the Council’s continued progress.
“If there is enough food in our nation, we would have succeeded in eradicating poverty and social biases that are fast eating into the fabric of our nation,” he said, adding that food security remains a priority for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
