FMAFS and IITA Sign MoU to Strengthen Soil Health and Food Security in Nigeria

16 January 2026

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.

The MoU builds on the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme, which promotes precise soil testing and crop-specific recommendations to support sustainable intensification and climate-resilient farming systems across the country.

It addresses soil fertility challenges, fertilizer inefficiencies, and sustainable farming through data-driven tools, technology, and regional expertise, expanding the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), which was launched on October 14, 2025, for precise soil testing and crop recommendations.

Launched in 2024 as a sub-program of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and hosted by IITA in Ibadan, it brings together a strong consortium of partners, including the IITA, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), OCP Africa, the African Plant Nutrition Institute

(APNI), University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), and ISRIC – World Soil Information. The Hub receives financial support from the World Bank through the CGIAR Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, as well as from OCP Africa.

Key deliverables of the partnership include:

  • Crop- and location-specific fertilizer recommendations for staples such as maize and rice
  • Application of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship—right source, right rate, right time, and right place
  • Development of digital soil information systems, laboratory standards, and capacity building
  • Scalable models to support sustainable agriculture across West Africa and the Sahel

“Through the Regional Hub, IITA is working hand in hand with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to put Nigeria’s soil health policy into action, using data and science to deliver real results for farmers and the nation’s food system. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to smarter fertilizer use, higher yields, and long-term sustainability,” said Axel Lionel Kadja, Director, Regional Hub based in IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.  “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to smarter fertilizer use, higher yields, and long-term sustainability.”

This partnership brings actionable solutions to farmers, enhancing productivity for a secure food future.

About the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel

The Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel is a collaborative initiative that brings together leading research, development, and private-sector partners to deliver science-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture. Hosted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and supported by organizations including the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), OCP Africa, the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), and ISRIC – World Soil Information, the Hub leverages data, soil testing, and fertilizer technologies to enhance productivity, efficiency, and resilience across regional food systems. With financial backing from the World Bank through CGIAR’s AICCRA project and OCP Africa, the Hub is committed to translating research into actionable solutions for farmers and policymakers, promoting long-term soil health, food security, and sustainable development for West Africa and the Sahel. More information can be found at https://soilhealthwa.iita.org/.

Media Relations Contact:

Tolulope Olabode (for IITA), Ilerioluwa Oladipupo (for the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel)

Contact Number: 08038037575, 07037180583
Email Address: T.Olabode@cgiar.org, I.Oladipupo@cgiar.org