The Federal Government has secured 534,219 metric tonnes of fertiliser raw materials for the 2026 wet farming season through PFI NPK Limited, while saving an estimated ₦61.58 billion through early procurement measures that have shielded Nigerian farmers from a worsening global fertiliser supply crisis.
The intervention comes as several countries across Africa face fertiliser shortages and rising input costs triggered by fresh disruptions to critical global shipping routes, which have driven up freight charges and the prices of key fertiliser components. Procurement and shipment records released by PFI NPK Limited, the Federal Government’s implementation vehicle for the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), show that Nigeria secured vital fertiliser inputs months before current market volatility pushed prices higher across international markets.
According to the records, nine vessels carrying a combined 407,304 metric tonnes of fertiliser raw materials were secured under the programme.
Together with opening stock balances, the total volume of raw materials available for NPK fertiliser production has reached 534,219 metric tonnes. PFI NPK Limited, a wholly owned entity of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), disclosed that all Letters of Credit associated with the procurement had been fully established or settled, ensuring uninterrupted supply throughout the planting season.
The records further indicate that as of mid-April 2026, more than 323,109 metric tonnes of raw materials—equivalent to approximately 6.5 million bags of fertiliser—had been distributed to registered blending plants across the country. Of that quantity, about 198,264 metric tonnes, representing nearly four million 50kg bags, had already been offtaken for production and distribution to farmers. Speaking on the development, Director of PFI NPK Limited, Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, said the Federal Government deliberately moved ahead of anticipated market pressures by securing supplies and locking in favourable prices before global disruptions intensified. “We took a deliberate decision to move early, well ahead of market pressures, by securing supply, locking in pricing, and putting the necessary financial instruments in place.
That foresight by the Federal Government is what has ensured that Nigeria is not exposed to the disruptions currently affecting global fertiliser markets,” he said. Financial data reviewed alongside the procurement records show that the early purchasing strategy generated savings of approximately $43.99 million, equivalent to about ₦61.58 billion, when compared with prevailing international market prices. A breakdown of the figures revealed that Granular Ammonium Sulphate (GAS) was secured at $228 per metric tonne against a current market price of $343. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) was purchased at $775 per tonne compared to the prevailing $950, while Muriate of Potash (MOP) was acquired at $400 per tonne against a market price of $430.
The savings underscore the benefits of the Federal Government’s decision to secure supplies before the onset of the latest global market disruptions. Fertiliser availability remains a critical factor in Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food security, with rising input costs often affecting crop yields and food prices. By stabilising supplies and reducing exposure to international price shocks, the government aims to support farmers and maintain agricultural output during the 2026 farming season.
PFI NPK operates a centralised procurement and distribution system on behalf of the Federal Government, importing raw materials and supplying them to 94 blending plants registered under the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN). The company does not import finished fertiliser products, ensuring that all NPK fertiliser is blended locally, a strategy designed to support domestic manufacturing, create jobs and promote value addition within the agricultural sector. Operations under the programme have expanded significantly in recent years.
In 2025, the Federal Government supplied 648,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser raw materials through PFI NPK. For 2026, the target has been increased to 1.52 million metric tonnes. The supply chain is governed by strict oversight mechanisms, including independent monitoring by Collateral Management Agents, regulatory supervision by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and compliance with standards set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) also provides strategic support for the programme’s nationwide operations and distribution activities. For farmers preparing for the wet season, the immediate impact of the government’s intervention is greater certainty regarding fertiliser availability and reduced risk of sudden price increases linked to global market instability. Dr. Takang noted that the ultimate goal of the initiative is to ensure farmers can access fertiliser at affordable prices when needed. “What matters is that the farmer can access fertiliser when needed and at a price that does not undermine production.
By stabilising supply and managing cost exposure at the procurement stage, the Federal Government is supporting that outcome at scale,” he said. Looking ahead, the Federal Government is pursuing government-to-government partnerships with international suppliers to strengthen long-term supply security.
Plans are also underway to deploy a digital enterprise platform that will provide real-time visibility into procurement, inventory management and nationwide distribution.
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