Agricultural specialists, researchers and policymakers have known as for higher funding in soil intelligence, digital know-how and crop-specific fertiliser suggestions to enhance farm productiveness and strengthen meals safety in Nigeria.
The name was made on the 2026 Nigeria Fertiliser Summit on Phosphorus and Food Security, held in Abuja, the place greater than 280 individuals from throughout the agricultural sector examined methods to enhance nutrient administration and guarantee farmers acquire higher returns from fertiliser software.
The summit was organised by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University, in partnership with the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and the Fertiliser and Inputs Support Services Department of the federal ministry of agriculture and meals safety.
Speaking on the opening session, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services within the ministry, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekun, emphasised the significance of soil knowledge, soil testing and crop-specific fertiliser suggestions in enhancing farmers’ productiveness.
He additionally acknowledged the contribution of the Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, noting that collaboration with the initiative would allow Nigeria to profit from regional experience and technical help for site-specific fertiliser suggestions.
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. A.S. Bamire, mentioned enhancing agricultural productiveness required greater than elevated fertiliser software, stressing the significance of accountable nutrient administration, analysis, innovation and stronger partnerships.
A member of IAR&T and one of many summit organisers, Prof. Vincent Aduramigba-Modupe, mentioned agricultural transformation trusted making use of the suitable vitamins in the suitable portions and underneath appropriate circumstances.
“Improving crop productivity is not only about applying fertilizer. It is about ensuring the right nutrient is applied in the right amount, at the right place, and under the right conditions,” he mentioned.
Participants recognized soil intelligence as a vital part of efforts to enhance fertiliser-use effectivity, highlighting the significance of digital soil maps, soil info techniques, laboratory companies, site-specific nutrient suggestions and digital advisory instruments.
A visiting scientist with the Regional Hub and Professor of Soil Science at Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, described soil intelligence as basic to attaining meals safety.
“The basis of food production and food security is the soil. You need healthy soil to produce well and feed the nation with nutritious food. To do that, you need soil intelligence,” he mentioned.
Presentations by the Regional Hub highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based nutrient administration in Nigeria and throughout West Africa via digital soil mapping, help for nationwide soil info techniques, laboratory assessments and the validation of fertiliser suggestions tailor-made to particular soils and crops.
The Hub’s Senior Agronomist, Dr Bello Shehu, mentioned enhancing phosphorus administration required a greater understanding of the nutrient wants of various soils and crops.
“It is about understanding what different soils and crops need and ensuring that farmers have access to the right products and the right advice,” he mentioned.
The summit additionally underscored the necessity for stronger coordination amongst stakeholders to handle fragmented approaches to soil well being and fertiliser administration.
Participants famous that though a number of initiatives have been already underway, improved collaboration was essential to stop duplication, align priorities and speed up implementation.
They highlighted the roles of technical working teams, the Coalition of the Willing and Nigeria’s National Technical Team, which serves as an interface between the nation and the Regional Hub, serving to to align nationwide priorities with regional experience and help.
“If we want to achieve our goals, we have to work together. Too many initiatives have been implemented in silos. Real progress will come when stakeholders align, collaborate and follow through on agreed actions,” Jibrin mentioned.
The summit additional highlighted the Regional Hub’s position as a technical useful resource and coordination platform supporting fertiliser and soil-health priorities throughout West Africa and the Sahel.
The Hub works with a consortium comprising the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the International Fertiliser Development Center, OCP Africa, the International Soil Reference and Information Centre, the African Plant Nutrition Institute and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, alongside nationwide technical groups, nation focal factors and analysis establishments throughout the area.
In a goodwill message, the incoming Director of the Regional Hub, Bastiaan Huesken, mentioned the initiative was established to assist nations translate scientific proof into sensible options for farmers.
“The Hub was created to turn soil data into recommendations, and recommendations into products and advice that farmers can use,” he mentioned.
