In a groundbreaking achievement for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the nation’s fertilizer production capacity has soared by over 300% since 2017. Sadiq Kassim, President of the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and Director of Corporate Affairs at the Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group, disclosed this during the PFI-NPK Stakeholders Roundtable in Abuja recently.
Reflecting on the remarkable progress and future goals for the Nigerian fertilizer industry, Kassim emphasized Nigeria’s transformation from a net importer of fertilizers to a leading producer in Africa. “Thanks to the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), Nigeria has grown from five blending plants in 2016 to over 90 today, alongside three major urea production facilities, positioning the country as a leading fertilizer producer in Africa,” Kassim stated.
He credited the success to the power of public-private partnerships in driving industrial growth, particularly acknowledging the critical role played by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). Kassim also expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration for their unwavering support of the PFI.
Kassim did not shy away from discussing the industry’s challenges, including high production costs, logistical inefficiencies, and foreign exchange volatility. However, he framed these challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth, proposing strategic initiatives such as expanding imported raw materials base to include micronutrients, establishing a fertilizer institute, and formalizing NPK trade within the ECOWAS region.
In a recent interview with Business Express on NTA, Kassim also highlighted that the blending plants are all currently operating at nearly 70% capacity. He pointed to the expansion in urea production, with significant players such as Dangote and Indorama boosting their output, further solidifying Nigeria’s position as a critical player in the global fertilizer market.
Looking ahead, Kassim expressed confidence in the industry’s ability to meet its ambitious goals. “With continued collaboration, the Nigerian fertilizer industry is on track to not only meet domestic demand but also position itself as a major exporter within the ECOWAS region and beyond, driving the nation toward a more prosperous and food-secure future,” he concluded.
