NSIA Hands Over Presidential Fertiliser Initiative To MOFI, Delivers 128 Million Bags to Farmers

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has formally handed over the management of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), marking the end of an era in which the programme delivered some of the most transformative agricultural interventions in Nigeria’s history.

Launched in 2016 to address inefficiencies in the fertiliser supply chain and reduce dependence on imports, the PFI—implemented by the NSIA under the direction of the Federal Government—has expanded the number of functional blending plants from just four in 2016 to over 90 by July 2025.

In the process, the initiative has delivered over 128 million bags of high-quality fertiliser to Nigerian farmers, significantly improving accessibility and affordability.

According to NSIA, the programme has also enhanced food security and created more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.

Speaking at the PFI Stakeholder Forum in Abuja on Saturday, where the handover was formalised, NSIA Managing Director and CEO Aminu Umar-Sadiq described the event as a celebration of nearly a decade of “positive impact, strategic partnership, growth, and reform.”

“The PFI is a model of what collaboration between public institutions and the private sector can achieve,” Umar-Sadiq said.

“We remain committed to strategic partnerships that enhance positive socio-economic outcomes for Nigerians.”

Despite severe global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, foreign exchange volatility, and the devaluation of the naira, the PFI maintained steady supply and stable prices for fertiliser, ensuring farmers were not left stranded during planting seasons.

NSIA attributed this resilience to close cooperation with stakeholders across the agriculture value chain and efficient supply chain management that shielded the programme from the worst effects of international market instability.

In recent years, the PFI underwent a major restructuring to position it for long-term financial and operational sustainability.

This included the introduction of wet blend technology, expansion into underserved regions, and an increased role for private sector players in fertiliser production and distribution.

The NSIA said these reforms have set the stage for further growth under MOFI’s stewardship, ensuring the programme continues to contribute to Nigeria’s food security and rural economic development.

As it passes the baton to MOFI, the NSIA reaffirmed its core mandate of catalysing impactful investments in infrastructure, economic diversification, and wealth creation for future generations.

“This transition is not an end, but a continuation of a success story,” Umar-Sadiq noted. “We will keep working on initiatives that drive sustainable growth and optimise outcomes for Nigerians.”

The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative is widely regarded as one of the Federal Government’s most successful agricultural reform programmes in recent decades, having revived a once-moribund domestic fertiliser industry and reduced Nigeria’s reliance on costly imports.

In his speech at the event, the MOFI Managing Director, Dr. Armstrong Takang emphasized the importance of the Bank of Agriculture and various initiatives aimed at improving food security.

He highlighted the need for increased support for the PFI initiative, noting the critical role of fertilizer in enhancing food production.

Takang also pointed out the inefficiencies in the use of fertilizers, noting that many fertilizers in the market have less than 10 per cent nutrient content.

He highlighted the historical low yield per hectare in Nigeria and the need for collective action to preserve the sanctity of the agricultural industry.

He warned of similar risks in the fertilizer industry, emphasizing the need for a cohesive strategy to support local blenders.

While explaining the transition of ownership from NSIA to the federal government, he hailed the NSIA’s discipline, knowledge, and skills in building and managing the business.

He outlined the strategic decision for NSIA to focus on key areas and the phased approach to transition management responsibilities.

The MOFI boss emphasized the need for collaboration to make PFI stronger than ever.

NSIA Hands Over Presidential Fertiliser Initiative To MOFI, Delivers 128 Million Bags to Farmers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper