The Nigerian government has emphasized the importance of strategic soil management in achieving sustainable food production, environmental quality, and agricultural resilience. According to Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, soil constitutes the backbone of the agricultural sector, supplying 95% of food and providing 15 of the 18 essential elements required for plant growth.
Speaking at the 2025 World Soil Day event in Abuja, Senator Abdullahi highlighted the crucial role of soil in supporting crop growth, livestock production, water purification, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration. He noted that the ministry is committed to restoring and upholding soil health, ensuring sustainable agriculture, food security, and enhanced livelihoods for all Nigerians.
To achieve this goal, the government has launched the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme, which offers crop- and location-specific fertilizer recommendations to reduce pollution and production costs. The scheme also promotes organic amendments and regenerative agriculture practices to protect soil and water resources. Additionally, the government plans to establish soil-testing laboratories in all 774 local government areas, to be run by youth and women agripreneurs.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s collaboration with development partners, including GIZ, Soil Values, AGRA, the World Bank’s ACReSAL Project, Sasakawa Africa, IITA, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These partnerships aim to improve soil management, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and support the ministry’s initiatives for soil health.
The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has also pledged its commitment to promoting evidence-based soil management, ethical fertilizer use, urban agriculture, and the enforcement of the Soil Science Profession Act. The institute’s President, Prof. Abubakar Musa Kundiri, emphasized the importance of soil health in achieving urban sustainability, citing the theme of the 2025 World Soil Day: “Healthy Soils, Healthy Cities.”
The government’s efforts to improve soil management are part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Food Security. With the incorporation of the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme into the federal budget, the government is taking concrete steps to reposition Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and rejuvenate degraded soil across the country. As the government continues to work with local and international partners, the significance of soil health in achieving sustainable food production and environmental quality is likely to remain a key focus area.