By Queen Kunde
Federal Government has signed a new agreement with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to improve soil health and fertilizer use across Nigeria.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and IITA. The deal is aimed at helping farmers grow more food by using the right fertilizer for the right soil, while protecting the land from damage.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said healthy soil is the backbone of food security. He explained that the agreement is part of the Presidential Soil Health Scheme and a broader plan to increase farm productivity and make Nigeria food-sufficient.
“This partnership will give farmers clear, data-based advice on what crops to plant and the type of fertilizer to use,” Kyari said. “It will help them increase yields, reduce costs and protect the soil.”
He added that the collaboration will also focus on better land management, climate services and tackling challenges such as soil nutrient loss, erosion and climate change using modern technology.
The Minister stressed that food security is not just about availability and affordability but also about nutrition and safety. “If the soil is not healthy, all efforts will fail,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the MoU sets the framework for cooperation between the Ministry and IITA but does not impose legal obligations.
He explained that the partnership is built on three key goals: improving land and soil management, building national capacity through research and data systems, and creating a model that can be adopted across the ECOWAS region.
According to him, the initiative will remove guesswork from farming by telling farmers exactly what to plant, where to plant and which fertilizer suits each soil type.
Dr. Abdullahi revealed that soil-testing laboratories will be established in all 774 local government areas. Farmers will be able to submit soil samples and receive expert recommendations, similar to medical lab test results.
He noted that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, agriculture has been made a top priority under the Renewed Hope for Food Security and Sovereignty agenda, with strong local and international support.
He also praised IITA for its long-standing partnership with Nigeria in transforming agriculture through research, innovation, technology transfer and support for youth and women.
In his remarks, the Director-General of IITA, Dr. Simeon Ehui, said the agreement will strengthen the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme and the National Soil Information System.
He explained that farmers will receive location-specific and crop-specific advice instead of general recommendations. Key crops covered include rice, maize, sorghum, wheat and yam.
Implementation will be coordinated through IITA’s Regional Hub of Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel to ensure shared standards and regional learning.
Dr. Ehui said IITA will provide technical expertise, soil testing, training and monitoring to ensure real results.
“The real test of this MoU is better soil, efficient fertilizer use and faster progress toward food security,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the formal signing of the MoU by officials of the Ministry and IITA, marking a fresh push to strengthen Nigeria’s agriculture and ensure food for all.