The Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) has revealed that Nigeria imported more than 560,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser raw materials in 2025 alone, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural productivity through the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI).
In a statement released on Wednesday, MOFI said 10 vessels carrying key raw materials have either already discharged or are scheduled to offload at Nigerian ports this year. The inflow of fertiliser inputs is part of efforts to stabilise supply, ensure price predictability, and sustain Nigeria’s growing local blending capacity.
“From 2022 to date, a total of 48 vessels have delivered fertiliser inputs under the PFI,” the statement said. “In 2025 alone, over 560,000 metric tonnes have been received, laying the groundwork for uninterrupted access to raw materials across the country’s blending plants.”
The fertiliser programme, which has played a central role in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation since 2016, has now moved into its next chapter, PFI 3.0. This new phase, MOFI said, is focused on establishing a reliable, continuous supply chain that will support the country’s target of becoming self-sufficient in food and industrial crop production.
“As of September 2025, raw materials received or already ordered exceed total imports for the entire year of 2024,” the agency stated, adding that additional supply agreements have been sealed to stock warehouses across all geopolitical zones.
This assurance of steady access to raw materials, MOFI said, has boosted confidence among farmers and agro-industrial stakeholders who rely on timely and affordable fertiliser for their operations.
MOFI Takes Over PFI Operations From NSIA
The announcement comes as MOFI prepares to take over full operational management of the PFI from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), which has overseen the initiative since its launch.
The transition set to begin in November 2025 follows resolutions reached at the August 2025 Stakeholder Roundtable in Abuja, where the next phase of the programme was officially endorsed.
According to MOFI’s Managing Director and CEO, Armstrong Takang, the reformed management structure will strengthen cost efficiency, enhance transparency, and improve year-round availability of fertiliser nationwide.
“We are methodically building a system that can shield farmers from global market shocks and inspire long-term planning,” said Takang. “PFI is a case study of how effective public-private collaboration can deliver strategic national outcomes.”
Since its inception, the PFI has delivered over 128 million bags of fertiliser directly to farmers and supported the production of over 4.5 million metric tonnes of finished product between 2021 and 2024 alone.
In addition, local blending capacity has grown dramatically. According to Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) President, Sadiq Kassim, Nigeria now boasts over 90 operational blending plants, with a combined capacity of 13 million metric tonnes annually.
“This is a critical asset for national food security,” said Kassim. “It brings fertiliser closer to farmers, cuts logistics costs, and creates jobs across the country.”
Industry analysts agree that the expansion of local blending facilities has reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported fertiliser while stimulating economic activity in rural areas.
Despite the robust supply, MOFI acknowledged rising concerns among farmers about the increasing price of fertiliser in recent seasons. However, it stressed that the surge in prices is linked to global cost pressures and foreign exchange fluctuations, rather than local shortages.
“Although supply is strong, price volatility is a concern,” the agency said. “The next phase of reforms is also aimed at addressing hoarding and diversion, which have occasionally disrupted distribution.”
The government says PFI 3.0 will feature stricter monitoring, improved traceability, and partnerships with raw material manufacturers to build local stockpiles, a strategy expected to reduce reliance on volatile global markets.
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