The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), a key driver of Nigeria’s food security strategy, is advancing efforts to guarantee farmers a reliable and affordable supply of fertilizer in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food sovereignty agenda.
As it enters its third phase, PFI 3.0, the programme is laying a solid foundation for uninterrupted access to raw materials for blending plants, with the long-term goal of making Nigeria self-sufficient in crop production for both food and industry. Already, more raw materials have been supplied or ordered in 2025 than in all of 2024, while agreements with manufacturers are ensuring warehouses nationwide remain stocked.
Data released by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) shows that between 2022 and 2025, 48 vessels delivered critical inputs for blending, with 10 vessels discharging over 560,000 metric tonnes so far this year. This steady inflow is helping stabilize Nigeria’s fertilizer value chain.
Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, Managing Director and CEO of MOFI, said the PFI’s focus extends beyond volumes. “We are building a system that insulates farmers from global market shocks and instils confidence in long-term planning. The PFI is a model of public–private collaboration and a testament to Nigeria’s capacity for strategic reform,” he stated.
Since inception, the initiative has facilitated the production of more than 128 million bags of fertilizer, including 4.5 million metric tonnes of finished products between 2021 and 2024. According to the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), the number of operational blending plants has now grown to more than 90, with a combined capacity of 13 million metric tonnes annually.
While acknowledging farmers’ concerns over rising prices, industry leaders stressed that the challenges stem from foreign exchange volatility and global raw material costs rather than local scarcity. To address these, PFI 3.0—endorsed at the August 2025 Stakeholder Roundtable in Abuja—will introduce reforms to improve cost efficiency, ensure year-round availability, and curb diversion through stronger traceability systems.
Operational management of the programme will formally transition from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to MOFI in November 2025. The shift is expected to further strengthen governance and sustain momentum as PFI enters a more ambitious phase, with a clear focus on boosting local sourcing and reducing import dependence.
Since its launch in 2016, the PFI has revived blending capacity, created jobs across the value chain, and played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s quest for food security.
