The Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing strategic reforms under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) 3.0, with a focus on ensuring year-round nationwide availability of fertiliser.
Dr. Armstrong Takang, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MOFI, said the reforms are designed to enhance efficiency, improve traceability, and curb hoarding and diversion, while also strengthening local sourcing.
According to him, one of the key objectives is to increase the proportion of domestically produced inputs in the fertiliser value chain, a shift that will reinforce Nigeria’s agro-industrial base and reduce dependence on volatile imports.
Takang disclosed that MOFI will assume operational management of the initiative from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) by November 2025. He noted that the transition is expected to strengthen governance and ensure seamless continuity as the programme enters a more ambitious phase.
“The central mission of PFI 3.0 remains providing Nigerian farmers with timely, affordable, and reliable access to fertiliser. The system is now more resilient, giving farmers confidence in consistent supply,” he said.
He stressed that the focus of the initiative extends beyond volume delivery, emphasising the need to build a framework that shields farmers from global market shocks and inspires confidence in long-term agricultural planning.
Since its inception in 2016, the PFI has facilitated the production of more than 128 million bags of fertiliser, with over 4.5 million metric tonnes produced between 2021 and 2024 alone. Takang said this was made possible through consistent inflows of raw materials and an expanding network of blending plants across the country.
The Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) confirmed that the number of operational blending plants has now risen to over 90 nationwide, with a combined capacity of 13 million metric tonnes annually. This expansion, Takang explained, ensures fertiliser is brought closer to farms, reduces transportation costs, and strengthens supply chains.
He acknowledged farmers’ concerns over rising fertiliser prices in recent seasons but clarified that these increases were driven by foreign exchange volatility and global raw material costs rather than domestic scarcity.
To mitigate such external pressures, Takang said PFI 3.0—endorsed at a stakeholder roundtable in Abuja in August—is positioning the industry for greater stability and self-reliance.
Between 2022 and 2025, 48 vessels delivered essential raw materials for blending under the initiative. In 2025 alone, ten vessels carrying more than 560,000 metric tonnes of inputs have already been discharged at Nigerian ports, laying the foundation for sustained production.
Takang underscored that the PFI represents a prime example of public–private collaboration to address national challenges, and with continued reforms, it will further empower farmers, stabilise production, and strengthen Nigeria’s food security outlook.
