Improving food security requires more than fertilizer use, stakeholders say at Nigeria Fertilizer Summit
Improving food security requires more than increasing fertilizer use. It requires better soil intelligence, stronger collaboration, and practical systems that help farmers
Cover Image: Local organizing committee members after the summit’s opening ceremony.
Improving food security requires more than increasing fertilizer use. It requires better soil intelligence, stronger collaboration, and practical systems that help farmers make informed decisions about the nutrients they apply to their fields. This was a recurring message from the 2026 Nigeria Fertilizer Summit on “Phosphorus and food security: Challenges in food production systems in Nigeria,” held on 19-20 October in Abuja.
The summit, organized by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University, in partnership with the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s Fertilizer and Inputs Support Services (FISS) Department, convened key stakeholders across Nigeria’s agricultural sector to explore how improved nutrient management can drive productivity and strengthen food security.
During the opening session, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Oshadiya Olanipekun, emphasized the importance of soil data, soil testing, and crop-specific fertilizer recommendations in improving farmers’ outcomes. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel. The director noted that collaboration with the Hub creates opportunities to leverage regional expertise, technical support, and methodologies for site-specific fertilizer recommendations.