Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector Under Late Muhammadu Buhari’s Tenure (2015-2023)

President Muhammadu Buhari, promised in May 2015, when he assumed office, that his administration would promote self-sufficiency in agriculture and food production. The former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, described Buharism as a kind of bourgeois nationalism that is radical in the sense of being a progressive move away from domination by a parasitic elite, to one in which a nationalist and productive class gains ascendancy. Buharism also believed in its long-held principle argument against Naira devaluation as the means to improve Nigeria’s balance of trade. This is based on its premise that there are superior alternatives for relieving pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserve.

An expression of this was the appointment of Hameed Ali, a retired army colonel, as Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, which enforced import restriction measures on 41 essential items. The reason was that the products could be produced locally and would relieve the pressure on the Naira. Some of the banned items were agricultural finished products like Rice, fertiliser, Sugar, Meat, Fish, and Poultry. This policy was also intended to create opportunities for local producers in the domestic market. While there have been highlighted successes, there have been unmet expectations, as well, especially where the projected increased production of the banned items and impact on agricultural development in Nigeria didn’t happen.

The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) was the main agricultural initiative of the government. It was formulated by the CBN and launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015. The ABP aimed to provide farmers with agri-inputs in cash and kind. Included in this laudable initiative was also a scheme to connect farmers with off-takers, who would in turn pay fair prices. This Credit support was provided each year, ahead of the season, by the CBN and the farmers are expected to repay the obligation with their harvests, just like a contract farming model. About 4.2 million farmers are said to be registered on the programme, and participation is limited to only one hectare of farmland per farmer.

The focus of agricultural economics is mainly on increasing growth and productivity of farmers. The ABP was designed to focus on increasing the number of farmers. As existing progressive farmers are not allowed and encouraged to reach 5 hectares (highest class for small commercial farmers) there has been no growth, no increased income and therefore, no spending in the rural economies and, by extension, no employment and income for the rural poor. This policy has not reduced poverty.

The ABF scheme has not grown. One of the reasons for its lack of growth is the high rates of default in repayments from the farmers. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 76% of the beneficiaries have defaulted even though repayment can be made in kind, thereby limiting the tenor to one season. The IMF claims that the cause of default is because the recipients of the loans are not always well targeted. Corruption may have blighted the opportunity for the scheme to register experienced and committed farmers.

At the ABP launch in 2015, President Buhari was particularly hopeful that it would accelerate local rice and wheat production. Since then, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the production of rice and massive development along the rice value chain, with about 50 new large-scale milling factories established across the country. The success is impressive, and the country has benefited with sufficiency in rice, employment, and income for many tens of thousands through the value chain. However, the programme has failed to show any impact on local wheat production. The CBN has now succumbed to the age-old response of import substitution and political appeasement by launching The Brown Revolution. The Brown Revolution has to come under scrutiny because the CBN has spent over N40 billion for a one-season programme.

The CBN’s direct involvement in agricultural policies and implementation within the last 8 years is as a result of the emphasis of the Buhari administration on the conservation of foreign reserve through import restriction measures – a Buharism alternative to neo-classical economics. Agricultural developmental projects and programmes that came after the ABP, implemented by the government appear to have been an afterthought. The roles of developmental agencies and institutions like the Bank of Agriculture, may have been usurped by the CBN’s very direct involvement in their traditional roles.

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News

Tackling Food Scarcity: Minister Urges Adoption of Tech Innovations

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has tasked farmers and agriculturists in general to consider introducing technological innovations into their farming practices to tackle food scarcity in the country.

Kyari made the call on Wednesday at the ongoing 9th Annual Conference and 68th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities (ADAN), held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Speaking at the event which is being held at the Federal University of Lafia and tagged ‘Transforming Agricultural Education for Sustainable Food Security and National Economic Growth’, Kyari, who was represented by the Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture Extension, Ayodele Olawumi, assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle food scarcity in the country.

Declaring the annual conference open, the minister noted that the Federal Government had initiated new agricultural innovations through the Renewed Hope Agenda, geared towards enhancing productivity among farmers, especially those in rural communities.

Kyari challenged the deans of agriculture at Nigerian universities to harmonise their curriculum in line with national policies to produce the next generation of agro professionals and innovators for sustainable food security in the country.

He stressed the importance of agriculture in achieving economic growth, maintaining that the present administration of President Bola Tinubu had prioritized the sector.

The minister, therefore, tasked all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to leverage the various policies and programmes of the federal government to address the challenges of food insecurity.

“Developing strategies to ensure food security through the promotion of training, research and innovative agricultural techniques, and enhancing agricultural entrepreneurship and job creation are some of the ways to modernise the agricultural sector of the country.

“Under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, we will continue to work towards ensuring that Nigerians have enough food, through digital agriculture and the various technological innovations,” he added.

Speaking on the theme, “Capacity Building and Entrepreneurship Development for Agricultural Transformation”, the keynote speaker, Professor Abu Godwin, noted that the under-funding of agricultural institutions had severely constrained the institutions from developing world-class training and research capabilities.

He lamented that many faculties of agriculture operate with obsolete equipment and have poorly maintained laboratories and inadequate demonstration farms, which creates a sharp contrast between classroom theory and the reality of modern agriculture best practices.

Professor Godwin, therefore, emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in agricultural education to address the challenges of food security and national economic growth.

Also speaking, the president of the Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities, Professor James Joyeoba, lamented that the current system of agriculture education in the country is faced with significant challenges, hence the need for the urgent transformation of agriculture education to empower more Nigerians, especially the youth and women, with the practical knowledge on how to enhance crop and livestock production.

The vice chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, earlier in his welcome address, urged the participants to be innovative in sharing ideas in order to identify strategies that could help to improve agricultural production for food security and the economic development of the country.

News

Nigerian Firm Unveils $5bn Cooperative Trust Fund to Boost Agriculture Investment

As part of measures towards boosting Agriculture, a $5 billion Assured Invest Cooperative Trust Fund has been launched by a company known as Mechanized Agricultural Investment and Services (MAIS) Limited to “unlock the full economic potential of our people, farmlands, small businesses, and national future”.

The fund is described as one of the most transformative financial vehicles ever created for the cooperative sector in Africa.

While speaking at the launch in Abuja over the weekend, Chief Vision Officer, MAIS, Mr. Benjamin Aduli, said the fund remained,“A bold declaration that cooperative capital—when properly structured, transparently governed, and purposefully deployed can unlock the full economic potential of our people, our farmlands, our small businesses, and our national future.”

He observed that for decades, the Nigerian cooperative system had been treated as an afterthought—underutilised, underfinanced, and underestimated.

He said, “Today, that era ends. With this Fund, we are shifting from marginalisation to mobilisation.”

He said the fund was particularly historic given that it is demand-driven.

“Unlike traditional financing models that are supply-driven—flooding the market with unsolicited capital, this fund responds only to verified cooperative demand – It is tailored to the real, structured needs of cooperative members—whether that’s a rice farmer in Lokoja, a housing cooperative in Enugu, an MSME cluster in Kaduna, or a youth cooperative in Abeokuta” he said.

Aduli further explained that the fund is backed by institutional capital, governed by cooperative law, not securities law, and driven by clear cooperative use-cases: food production, mechanisation, housing, education, clean energy, and digital inclusion.

He said, “It is not a public investment scheme. It is a secured cooperative financing framework, created by members, for members, and through members.

“The fund will be administered transparently with the oversight of trustee banks, insurance underwriters, and cooperative federations—including our partners.”

He listed the partners to include,

Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN), National Agricultural Cooperative Organisation (NACO), Cooperative Housing Federation of Nigeria (COHFON), and Akilaah National Cooperative Federation (Akilaah).

Aduli also said the company would begin onboarding verified cooperative societies nationwide to participate in the fund subject to its terms and conditions.

He said, “We encourage federations, unions, primary cooperatives, and affiliate networks to engage with the Maistrade Ecosystem, access onboarding kits, and take advantage of this generational opportunity.Together, we are building more than a financial fund—we are building a new era of economic justice, where membership equals access and contribution guarantees returns.

“Let me thank every single partner—especially our banking allies, technology partners, and the leaders of Nigeria’s cooperative renaissance—for believing in this vision and walking this journey with us.Let history remember this day not just as a launch, but as the day Nigerian cooperatives stood up—not to beg, but to build.”

Gardening, Tips & Tricks

How to Make 10 Vegetable Gardens with Small Spaces

It doesn’t require a big backyard to grow your vegetables. Small spaces can yield bountiful harvests with a bit of creativity and strategy. Urban dwellers, those with small yards, or individuals who simply prefer a compact garden, will find that small vegetable garden ideas can be both productive and aesthetically pleasing.

These small-space gardening techniques not only optimize limited areas but also add charm and freshness to your home environment. Whether it’s a balcony, a tiny yard, or a windowsill, every little corner can be turned into a mini vegetable haven. Here are ten innovative small vegetable garden ideas perfect for small spaces.

Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening is a brilliant way to maximize limited space. Utilize vertical structures such as trellises, walls, or even hanging baskets to grow vegetables upward instead of outward. This method is especially great for climbing plants like tomatoes, peas, and beans.

Creating a living wall with a series of small planters can transform a sunny wall into a lush vegetable patch. Ensure that each planter has adequate drainage and is positioned to receive ample sunlight. This not only saves space but also adds a green aesthetic to your area.

You can also use vertical hydroponic systems, which allow for efficient water usage and can be set up on a balcony or patio. These systems can be a bit more of an investment, but are ideal for herbs and leafy greens, providing high yields in a compact setup.

Container Gardening

This is a versatile and perfect for trick for small spaces like patios, balconies, and even windowsills. Choose containers that complement your space and are large enough to accommodate the root growth of your chosen vegetables.

Mix and match different sizes and colors of pots to add visual interest and depth to your garden. This method allows you to control soil quality and moisture levels more effectively, which can lead to healthier plants and better yields.

Remember to choose vegetables that are well-suited to container life, such as radishes, carrots, and lettuce. These plants do not require deep roots, making them perfect for smaller pots and ensuring they thrive in confined spaces.

Raised Bed Gardens

Raised bed gardens are perfect for small yards and can be designed to fit any available space. They offer perfect drainage, better control over soil composition, and easier access for planting, maintenance, and harvesting.

A raised bed can be filled with a soil mix tailored to the specific needs of your vegetable plants, providing them with the nutrients necessary for optimal growth. This can help avoid the limitations of poor native soil.

Design your raised beds to be narrow enough to reach across easily but large enough to grow a variety of vegetables. Strategic placement of taller plants towards the back and shorter plants in the front maximizes sun exposure for all.

Windowsill Boxes

Windowsill boxes are ideal for gardening in very small or indoor spaces. They make good use of limited sill areas in kitchens or other sunny spots inside your home. Herbs, microgreens, and small vegetables like cherry tomatoes can thrive in these conditions.

Ensure the box is deep enough to support root growth and has proper drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Adding a drip tray beneath the box will catch excess water and keep indoor areas clean.

Regular watering and fertilizing are crucial, as container soils can dry out faster and deplete nutrients more quickly than garden soil. Consider a liquid fertilizer at half strength to promote healthy growth without overwhelming the plants.

Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets aren’t just for flowers. They can also be a creative and decorative way to grow vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, strawberries, or various herbs. This option adds a vertical element to your gardening without requiring wall space or large structures.

Choose a sturdy hook and a robust basket that can handle the weight of the soil and plants when fully watered. Coconut coir or moss-lined baskets help retain moisture and give a natural, rustic look.

To ensure success, select vegetable varieties that naturally droop or cascade, as they will thrive in the hanging environment and provide easy access for harvesting. Regular watering is essential since hanging baskets can dry out quickly.

Balcony Rail Planters

This is perfect for utilizing the often-overlooked space of apartment balcony rails. These planters are designed to fit securely over rails, providing a neat and organized look while offering ample space for growing a range of vegetables.

Go for lightweight materials and ensure the planters have adequate drainage. This type of garden is ideal for growing herbs, salad greens, and compact root vegetables like radishes or beets.

Tabletop Gardens

Tabletop gardens are a stylish way to grow vegetables on small patios or decks where ground space is limited. These can be made from repurposed furniture or specifically designed garden tables with built-in soil beds.

Herbs, leafy greens, and other small vegetables are best suited for tabletop gardening. The elevated height makes tending to your plants easy on the back and deters some common ground pests.

Consider a tabletop garden with a built-in watering system for ease of maintenance, ensuring that your plants stay hydrated even on busy days or during hot weather.

Utilizing Fence Space

If you have a fence in your yard, it can double as a vertical gardening space. Install planters or attach pots directly to the fence to create a living wall effect. This method is particularly effective for growing herbs and small vegetables like peppers.

Make sure that the fence is strong enough to support the weight of the soil and plants. It’s also important to consider the sunlight exposure along the fence—south-facing fences typically receive the most sunlight.

This type of gardening not only maximizes space but also enhances the privacy of your yard, as the plants provide additional coverage and greenery.

Staircase Planters

For homes with outdoor stairs, the steps provide an excellent opportunity to set up small planters for herbs and vegetables. This tiered arrangement allows each plant to receive adequate sunlight without overshadowing each other.

Staircase planters can be individual pots or custom-built units that fit the dimensions of your steps. Ensure that each pot has good drainage and that the setup does not obstruct the pathway.

Herbs, strawberries, and even some leafy greens are perfect for this setup, as they can be easily accessed and maintained. This arrangement not only utilizes an often-unused space but also adds a decorative element to your home’s exterior.

Repurposed Items

Repurposing old items like barrels, tubs, or even furniture into planters is an eco-friendly way to add character to your small garden. These items can be painted and modified to create unique, functional vegetable planters.

When using repurposed containers, make sure to clean them thoroughly to remove any harmful residues and drill drainage holes to keep the soil well-drained. This approach is not only cost-effective but also allows for creative expression in your garden design.

Choose vegetables that match the depth and size of the container to ensure healthy growth. For instance, deeper containers like barrels are great for growing root vegetables, while shallow containers are suitable for herbs and leafy greens.

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