The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) says it is advancing efforts to guarantee a resilient and uninterrupted supply of fertiliser to Nigerian farmers, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for food sovereignty.
In a statement, Executive Director (Portfolio), Tajudeen Ahmed, announced that the programme has entered a new phase—PFI 3.0—focused on ensuring stable raw material supplies for blending plants and positioning Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in food and industrial crop production.
“As of September 2025, more raw materials have already been supplied or ordered than the entire volume delivered in 2024. Additional arrangements have also been concluded with raw material manufacturers to stock warehouses nationwide, giving blenders access to inputs in line with their production capacity. This is supported by verifiable data and PFI’s proven record, which has boosted confidence among farmers and stakeholders,” Ahmed said.
Data released by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) shows steady progress. Between 2022 and 2025, 48 vessels have delivered key raw materials under the PFI. This year alone, 10 vessels have discharged or are set to discharge more than 560,000 metric tonnes of inputs at Nigerian ports—laying the groundwork for robust fertiliser production and stability across the supply chain.
Managing Director of MOFI, Dr Armstrong Takang, emphasised that the initiative is about building resilience, not just boosting volumes.
“We are building a system to shield farmers from global market shocks while giving them confidence for long-term planning. The PFI shows how public–private collaboration can address complex national challenges and demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity for strategic reform,” Takang noted.
According to PFI, consistent local production has already yielded more than 4.5 million metric tonnes of fertiliser between 2021 and 2024. Since inception, the initiative has delivered over 128 million bags directly to farmers nationwide.
The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) also confirmed major gains in production capacity. Its president, Alhaji Sadiq Kassim, revealed that operational blending plants have now grown to over 90, with a combined capacity of 13 million metric tonnes annually.
“This expansion ensures fertiliser is closer to farmers, reducing transportation costs and making supply more reliable,” Kassim said.
Despite the steady supply, farmers remain concerned about rising prices, which industry leaders attribute to foreign exchange volatility and global raw material costs rather than local scarcity.
To tackle these external pressures, the PFI is preparing to roll out PFI 3.0, endorsed at the August 2025 Stakeholder Roundtable in Abuja. By November, MOFI will take over operational management from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), a move expected to strengthen governance and sustain momentum.
The third phase will focus on year-round nationwide availability, improved cost efficiency, and stronger monitoring to curb hoarding and diversion. It also prioritises local sourcing to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen Nigeria’s agro-industrial base.
The PFI, a flagship Federal Government programme, remains committed to providing Nigerian farmers with timely, affordable, and reliable access to high-quality fertiliser.