FMAFS and IITA Sign MoU to Strengthen Soil Health and Food Security in Nigeria
In a major step toward strengthening sustainable agriculture and national food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance soil health, improve fertilizer efficiency, and boost farm productivity in Nigeria.
Partnership advances fertilizer efficiency through the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel
Abuja, Nigeria — January 15, 2026 — In a major step toward strengthening sustainable agriculture and national food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance soil health, improve fertilizer efficiency, and boost farm productivity in Nigeria.
The MoU was signed by IITA Director General, Dr Simeon Ehui, and His Excellency, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (CON), in support of the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) and national soil information system development initiatives. All activities under the agreement will be implemented through the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, hosted by IITA.
“The Regional Hub is designed to be the technical backbone of soil health and fertilizer use for West Africa and the Sahel. With the Soil Health Initiative in Nigeria, the Hub gains a visible champion that elevates soil health from a technical agenda to a political one,” said IITA Director General, Simeon Ehui. “It creates demand and urgency for the Hub’s outputs—from digital soil maps and fertilizer recommendations to laboratory standards. Nigeria’s example helps the Hub catalyze momentum across West Africa and the Sahel region, showing that regional cooperation can deliver tangible national benefits.”
The partnership deepens collaboration between IITA, a leading research-for-development institution addressing hunger, poverty, and land degradation, and FMAFS, Nigeria’s lead agency for agricultural productivity and food security policy. Together, the institutions will address persistent soil fertility challenges and fertilizer inefficiencies through the use of data-driven tools, advanced technologies, and regional expertise.