Nigeria, once celebrated as the agricultural giant of Africa, has witnessed a dramatic transformation in its economic landscape over the past century. Agriculture, which was the backbone of the nation’s economy and a major source of foreign exchange, has been overshadowed by the dominance of the oil sector since the late 1960s[3][2][13]. With renewed government focus, technological partnerships, and evolving global challenges, the question arises: Can Nigeria reclaim its status as an agricultural powerhouse?
**A Historical Powerhouse: Nigeria’s Agricultural Legacy**
Before the discovery and commercialization of oil, Nigeria’s economy was firmly rooted in agriculture. In the 1960s, agriculture contributed about 60% to the nation’s GDP, provided 90% of employment, and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings[13]. The country was renowned for its export of groundnuts (with the iconic groundnut pyramids in the north), cocoa, palm oil, and cotton. Food self-sufficiency was the norm, and Nigeria’s agricultural exports were in high demand globally[2][13].
However, colonial policies shifted the focus from food crops to cash crops, and the post-independence oil boom led to a neglect of the agricultural sector. The influx of oil revenues spurred urban migration, causing agricultural production to stagnate and forcing the country to import basic food items like rice and cassava[3][2].
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**Current State: Agriculture’s Role and Challenges**
Today, agriculture still employs over 35% of Nigeria’s workforce and contributes about 23% to GDP[1][12]. Despite this, Nigeria faces a paradox: over 40 million Nigerians are farmers, yet the country remains import-dependent and is grappling with its worst food crisis in decades[1][17]. Several factors have contributed to this decline:
– **Insecurity:** Widespread insecurity, particularly in rural areas, has driven farmers off their land, reduced productivity, and discouraged investment. Kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism have had a disproportionate impact on agricultural communities, especially in the north, which produces about 70% of Nigeria’s food[1][6][17].
– **Climate Change:** Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, floods, and desertification are increasingly common. Water sources are drying up, and traditional farming cycles are disrupted, leading to declining yields and threatening food security[7][17].
– **Financing and Infrastructure:** Smallholder farmers, who account for over 80% of the sector, face limited access to affordable credit, modern equipment, and storage facilities. High input costs and poor rural infrastructure further compound these challenges[4][14][9].
– **Policy and Implementation Gaps:** While various government programs exist, issues of transparency, accountability, and effective disbursement of funds have limited their impact[8][9][11].
**Recent Initiatives: Signs of a Turnaround**
Despite these challenges, there are promising developments:
**1. Increased Government Investment**
The 2025 federal budget allocates ₦826.5 billion to agriculture—a 127% increase from the previous year[1][18][19]. The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and other targeted interventions aim to provide grants, subsidies, improved seeds, fertilizers, mechanization, and irrigation to smallholder farmers[8][9]. These investments are designed to boost yields, modernize practices, and strengthen value chains.
**2. Technological and International Partnerships**
Nigeria has signed a landmark agreement with Brazil to enhance fertilizer production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural financing[5]. The Green Imperative Project, a $1.2 billion initiative, leverages Brazilian expertise in tropical agriculture to modernize Nigeria’s sector. Additionally, agri-tech startups are introducing precision agriculture, satellite-based crop monitoring, AI-driven advisory systems, and blockchain-enabled supply chain solutions[5][12].
**3. Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ)**
With support from the African Development Bank, Nigeria is developing Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across several states. These zones are expected to transform rural economies, reduce post-harvest losses, and create jobs by integrating production, processing, and marketing[16].
**4. Policy Reforms and Youth Engagement**
The National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) and expanded credit schemes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Program (ABP) are improving access to finance and encouraging mechanization[12][11]. There is also a growing call for youth participation in agribusiness, which is vital for sustainability and innovation[10].
**Key Opportunities for Nigeria’s Agricultural Revival**
| Opportunity | Potential Impact |
|—————————–
| **Mechanization & Technology** | Higher yields, reduced labor, precision farming |
| **Climate-Smart Agriculture** | Resilience to droughts/floods, stable food supply |
| **Agro-Processing & Value Addition**| Export growth, job creation, reduced post-harvest loss|
| **Regional Trade** | Leverage northern Nigeria’s proximity to neighbors |
| **Diversification of Crops** | Reduced reliance on imports, food security |
Emerging crops like fonio—a drought-resistant grain—are being explored as substitutes for imported staples like rice. There is also significant potential in poultry, dairy, fisheries, and agroforestry[15][12].
**Persistent Challenges and What Must Change**
Despite increased funding and innovation, several hurdles remain:
– **Insecurity:** Without significant improvements in rural security, farmers will remain vulnerable, and productivity will lag[6][1].
– **Climate Adaptation:** Investments in irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and reforestation are needed to counteract the effects of climate change[7][17].
– **Infrastructure:** Better roads, storage, and market access will reduce losses and improve farmer incomes[14].
– **Transparency and Governance:** Effective monitoring and direct farmer engagement are essential to ensure that funds reach intended beneficiaries and are not diverted[8][9].
– **Education and Capacity Building:** Training and extension services are critical for the adoption of new technologies and sustainable practices[10][12].
**Conclusion: Can Nigeria Regain Its Agricultural Powerhouse Status?**
Nigeria possesses the natural resources, population, and historical experience to reclaim its place as an agricultural powerhouse. The current wave of government investment, international collaboration, and technological innovation offers a real opportunity for transformation. However, success hinges on addressing persistent challenges—especially insecurity, climate change, and systemic inefficiencies.
If Nigeria can sustain its commitment to agricultural modernization, empower its millions of smallholder farmers, and create an enabling environment for innovation and investment, the country can not only feed itself but also become a major exporter once again. The path forward requires coordinated action, political will, and a shared vision for a food-secure and prosperous Nigeria[1][5][16].
> “The future of sustainable agriculture is bright… agriculture stands out as a sector with unparalleled potential. If more Nigerians engaged in farming, even on a small scale, it would reduce dependence on the market and mitigate the high costs of food driven by logistics challenges.”[10]
With the right policies, investments, and resolve, Nigeria can indeed return to being an agricultural powerhouse—restoring its legacy and securing its future.
By George Lamptey
Citations:
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[2] Evolution Of Agriculture In Nigeria – Education Monitor News https://educationmonitornews.
[3] Nigeria – Oil, Agriculture, Trade – Britannica https://www.britannica.com/
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[5] Agricultural Investment In Nigeria: 5 Key Partnerships Driving Growth https://farmonaut.com/africa/
[6] [PDF] Asymmetric Impact of Insecurity on Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.
[7] Expert lists climate change impacts on Nigerian agriculture https://abu.edu.ng/expert-
[8] FG Allocates N132bn to Boost Agriculture, Empower Farmers in 2025 https://msmeafricaonline.com/
[9] FG Allocates N132bn to Support Smallholder Farmers, Strengthen … https://agronigeria.ng/fg-
[10] Sustainable Agribusiness Drives Nigeria’s Future: Expert Insights https://thedevelopmentreport.
[11] Government Agricultural Programs in Nigeria: Empowering Farmers … https://www.
[12] Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector in 2025: New Opportunities for Growth https://nigeriamag.com/
[13] history of agricultural Development – Official website https://lagosagric.com/
[14] The Current State—Key Challenges Facing Sustainable Agriculture … https://www.linkedin.com/
[15] Nigeria: 7 agriculture and food sector business ideas for 2025 https://www.
[16] Nigeria’s food and agriculture revolution takes off backed by the … https://www.afdb.org/en/news-
[17] Nigerian farmers struggle as climate change dries up water sources https://www.africanews.com/
[18] What Does the Future Hold for Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector in 2025? https://businesscabal.com/
[19] On 2025 budgetary allocation to agriculture – FarmingFarmersFarms https://farmingfarmersfarms.
[20] [PDF] Current State of Nigeria Agriculture and Agribusiness Sector – PwC https://www.pwc.com/ng/en/
[21] Nigeria and Agriculture: A tale of two Giants – Origin Tech Group https://origingroupng.com/
[22] Top 10 Challenges Facing Africa’s Agriculture Sector in 2025 https://www.africanexponent.
[23] Nigeria has a food security problem as water for crops is harder to find https://www.washingtonpost.
[24] Nigeria Agricultural Commodity Standards Grading Policy (2025 … https://nabg.ng/project/
[25] 2025: Nigerians Want Government to Prioritize Agriculture … https://www.noi-polls.com/
[26] national policy for agriculture – OSGF https://www.osgf.gov.ng/
