In a renewed push to bolster Nigeria’s food security efforts, the Federal Government is stepping up reforms in seed certification as part of broader strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and tame soaring food prices.
This move came to the fore during a courtesy visit by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at the Agric Ministry headquarters in Abuja.
The high-level meeting, held earlier this week, centred on deepening inter-ministerial collaboration in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a sharp focus on expanding the production and distribution of certified seeds across the country. The ministers deliberated on establishing a more decentralised and efficient seed certification system that ensures only high-quality, disease-resistant seeds reach Nigerian farmers — a move expected to significantly increase yields and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.
Mr. Edun emphasised the importance of agriculture in Nigeria’s economic recovery and noted that expanding access to certified seeds is key to improving productivity, reducing food inflation, and stimulating rural development. He highlighted the strategic importance of seed quality in securing sustainable food systems, particularly as the nation gears up for dry season farming — a critical period for mitigating the risks posed by climate variability and global supply shocks.
Senator Kyari, in his remarks, reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to work with the Finance Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to scale up seed certification and distribution infrastructure. He disclosed that efforts are underway to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure that private seed companies adhere strictly to national and international quality standards. The Minister added that the dry season farming preparations are nearing completion, with the government prioritising access to essential inputs such as fertilisers, agrochemicals, and improved seedlings.
The meeting also touched on mechanisms to attract private investment into the agricultural sector, with both ministers agreeing that a modernised seed system is a foundational pillar for unlocking Nigeria’s full agribusiness potential. They noted that with agriculture contributing over 25% to Nigeria’s GDP and employing more than 70% of the rural population, any bottleneck in seed access and quality poses a direct threat to food security and economic resilience.
The reforms come at a time when food prices have continued to rise, with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reporting a food inflation rate of over 30% in recent months. The government believes that empowering farmers with certified seeds and proper extension support will serve as a frontline defence against inflationary pressures and help reverse the current trend of rising hunger.
As the nation braces for the dry season, authorities say the success of these seed reforms could serve as a template for broader agricultural interventions aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency, reducing rural poverty, and stabilising the macroeconomic environment.
