The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to improve soil health, enhance fertilizer efficiency and transform Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
The agreement was signed at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja as part of efforts under the presidential soil health scheme aimed at strengthening food production, sustainability and long-term food sovereignty.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the collaboration formed part of a broader national strategy to modernise soil management practices, boost productivity and reduce inefficiencies across the agricultural value chain.
Kyari explained that under the MoU, Nigerian farmers would gain access to data-driven recommendations on fertilizer application and crop selection based on specific soil conditions. According to him, this approach would help farmers optimise yields, lower production costs and reduce the environmental impact of excessive or inappropriate fertilizer use.
He noted that the partnership would also focus on improved land management practices, climate services and capacity building, while creating a scalable model that could be adopted across the region. The minister stressed that both parties would deploy advanced technologies to address long-standing challenges such as soil nutrient depletion, erosion and the growing impact of climate change on farming systems.
Kyari said the government’s interest went beyond increasing food output alone, adding that soil health was directly linked to nutrition and food safety.
“Beyond food availability and affordability, the government is committed to ensuring nutritional quality and safety. If the soil is not healthy, no matter the effort, the desired results cannot be achieved,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the MoU as a framework for cooperation rather than a legally binding contract. He explained that the document outlined the willingness of both parties to explore collaboration, conduct joint studies and carry out due diligence related to the proposed partnership.
Abdullahi said the agreement was built around three key objectives. These include strengthening agricultural land management and climate change services with emphasis on soil health and fertilizer management; building national capacity through applied research, soil fertility data systems and policy support; and promoting a collaborative model that could inspire similar initiatives across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region.
According to him, the soil health scheme is designed to eliminate guesswork for farmers by providing clear, science-based guidance on what to plant, where to plant and the specific type of fertilizer required for each soil type.
As part of implementation, Abdullahi disclosed that soil testing laboratories would be established across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. These facilities would allow farmers to submit soil samples for analysis and receive tailored recommendations, similar to the way medical laboratory tests guide treatment decisions.
He also linked the initiative to the broader agricultural agenda of President Bola Tinubu, noting that agriculture has been prioritised under the Renewed Hope for Food Security and Sovereignty initiative since the administration took office.
“This commitment goes beyond political rhetoric. It is a serious mandate that Mr President has embraced with full dedication, including mobilising both local and international support to ensure food availability for all citizens,” Abdullahi said.
The minister commended IITA for its long-standing partnership with Nigeria, highlighting the institute’s role in agricultural research, innovation, technology transfer and capacity building. He added that IITA’s work in climate resilience, data-driven farming and youth and women empowerment aligned closely with national development priorities.
In his welcome address, the Director General of IITA, Simeon Ehui, said the agreement would support the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme and the continued development of the Nigerian National Soil Information System.
Ehui explained that the partnership was structured as both a policy and delivery commitment, designed to provide farmers with location-specific, data-backed recommendations rather than generalised advice. He said implementation would be coordinated through the Regional Hub of Fertiliser and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, hosted by IITA, to ensure common standards, shared learning and regional alignment.
“This approach assures a standards-based system rather than isolated interventions, while allowing Nigeria to benefit from regional expertise,” he said.
Ehui added that the initiative would deliver crop- and location-specific fertilizer recommendations for key staples such as rice, maize, sorghum, wheat and yams. It would also support integrated soil fertility management, improved laboratory standards, digital soil information systems and continuous capacity building.
He said IITA would provide research and technical expertise, training, soil testing support and monitoring frameworks to ensure that the objectives of the MoU translate into measurable outcomes.
“The real test of this MoU will be results, improved soil health systems, higher fertilizer use efficiency, stronger national capacity and accelerated progress towards food security,” Ehui stated.
The signing of the MoU by officials of the ministry and IITA marked the highlight of the event, formally sealing the partnership aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s soil health management and agricultural productivity landscape.
