Nigeria has taken a significant step toward agricultural transformation with the launch of the Nigeria Seed Sector Strategy and Investment Plan (2025–2030) during the 8th SeedConnect Africa Conference & Exhibition in Abuja.
Jointly unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), with technical support from AGRA, the Strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap to modernize the country’s seed system and ensure that farmers have access to high-quality, affordable, and locally adapted seeds.
Grounded in findings from the Seed Systems Assessment Tool (SeedSAT), the Strategy addresses long-standing structural challenges. The assessment revealed that Nigeria’s seed system currently operates at 45 percent efficiency, with major constraints in national planning, coordination, and the adoption of improved seed varieties.
Today, only 11 percent of maize farmers and 3 percent of cowpea farmers use improved seed, contributing to consistently low productivity and a maize supply deficit approaching four million metric tons annually. These insights underscore the urgency for coordinated reforms and targeted investments.
The Strategy outlines clear priorities across the seed value chain, including breeding and variety release, quality assurance, early generation seed supply, commercial seed production, and digitized coordination. An estimated ₦2.48 billion (USD 5.76 million) will be required to implement the priority interventions, with breeding and quality assurance representing key focus areas. The Strategy also emphasizes the nationwide rollout of digital tools such as SeedTracker and SeedCodex to increase transparency, strengthen traceability, and combat counterfeit seeds.
Speaking at the launch, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, described the Strategy as a pivotal milestone.
“Seed is the foundation of agriculture. 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.”
Dr. Philip Ojo, Director-General of NASC, highlighted the Strategy’s importance for strengthening quality assurance systems, modernizing seed testing infrastructure, and fostering a more professional seed industry. He noted that expanding SeedCodex and SeedTracker will help protect farmers from adulterated seed and enhance market competitiveness.
Representing AGRA, Dr. Esther Ibrahim, Program Officer, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through technical expertise, policy engagement, and implementation assistance.
“AGRA is proud to have supported the SeedSAT assessment, the Strategy’s development, and the capacity building efforts that have made this launch possible. Nigeria now has an ambitious, evidence-driven blueprint capable of catalyzing investment, driving innovation, and strengthening farmer confidence. We look forward to supporting its implementation.”
Dr. Francis M. Mwatuni, Lead for Seed Systems Analysis and Knowledge Resources at AGRA, emphasized the transformative role of SeedSAT:
“SeedSAT has given Nigeria the clarity and system-wide visibility essential for meaningful reform. By providing an evidence-based understanding of strengths and gaps, it has enabled national institutions to make informed decisions. This Strategy builds directly on those insights—helping strengthen coordination, reinforce quality assurance, and create the conditions for greater farmer confidence and sector-wide growth.”
The Strategy aligns Nigeria’s seed sector transformation with regional and continental frameworks, including the ECOWAS Harmonized Seed Regulations, the CAADP +10 agenda, and the Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health. It provides a solid basis for strengthening Nigeria’s position in the West African seed market, improving cross-border seed trade, and advancing regulatory reforms such as streamlined variety registration and full implementation of Plant Variety Protection (PVP).
The government’s ambition is to significantly increase certified seed production for key staples—maize, rice, sorghum, and soybean—while mobilizing partners, seed companies, research institutions, and development organizations to work collaboratively through platforms such as SEEDAN, the National Seed Sector Platform, and CGIAR centers.
Developed through a highly collaborative process involving public agencies, seed companies, universities, CGIAR institutions, development partners, and farmer representatives, the Strategy builds on the National Seed Roadmap, NASC’s strategic plan, and lessons from ongoing initiatives including BASICS II, CSP, CORIS, and YIIFSWA II.
With this launch, Nigeria signals its readiness to transform its seed industry, strengthen its food systems, and put farmers at the center of a more productive and resilient agricultural future.
About AGRA
AGRA is an African-led organisation focused on putting farmers at the centre of our continent’s growing economy. AGRA advances uniquely African solutions to sustainably raise farmers’ productivity and connect them to a growing marketplace. Together with its partners—including researchers, donors, African governments, the private sector, and civil society—AGRA seeks to create an environment where Africa sustainably feeds itself.
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