Nigeria maintains its position as Africa’s second-largest onion producer, with annual output estimated at 2.1 million metric tonnes, valued at approximately N1.17 trillion, according to the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN).
The association’s national president, Alhaji Aliyu Isah, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the sector is a major contributor to the nation’s agricultural economy and rural livelihoods. He noted that Nigerian onions are exported across West and Central Africa, with some reaching European markets.
Isah credited recent government interventions, including support for improved seeds, fertiliser, and agrochemicals, with helping to stabilise production and market prices. He highlighted that partnerships with ministries and agencies have enhanced farmer training and the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
Efforts to streamline the onion value chain are ongoing. The association is working with customs authorities to improve trade corridors and facilitate cross-border movement. Collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council aims to reduce export costs and logistics for processed onion products. Regional partnerships with stakeholders from Ghana, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have also improved cross-border trade.
A key focus for NOPPMAN is expanding onion processing facilities to increase value addition. Isah revealed that improved marketing strategies and export promotion are central to the association’s 2026 agenda, which seeks to strengthen the entire value chain to enhance farmer income and national revenue.
He encouraged youth participation in onion farming and agribusiness, describing it as a viable path for employment and wealth creation. Isah cited his own transition into onion farming after university, supported by government agricultural programmes, as an example of the sector’s potential.
The association has trained farmers on good agricultural practices and provided access to quality inputs, with market access initiatives helping producers scale operations and improve earnings. Isah expressed optimism that Nigeria could soon lead onion production in Africa.
NOPPMAN, also recognised as the primary body representing the onion value chain in Nigeria, focuses on boosting local production, enhancing processing, fostering international trade, and protecting farmer and marketer welfare. Its strategic initiatives include scaling production capacity and improving members’ welfare.
