The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) have agreed on a joint action plan to strengthen Nigeria’s seed system.
The agreement followed the Nigeria Seed Systems Forum 2026, a two-day meeting in Abuja that brought together regulators, researchers, seed companies, financial institutions, agro-dealers, farmers’ organisations and development partners.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the forum on Wednesday, participants outlined priority actions, responsible institutions and timelines covering regulation, research commercialisation, financing, distribution and digital traceability.
They identified high production costs, limited access to finance, inconsistent seed quality, weak distribution networks and gaps between research and commercial markets as major obstacles to the industry’s growth and farmers’ access to quality seeds.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Okelola Folarin, NASC director of plant protection, Fatuhu Muhammed, the council’s director-general, said farmers needed reliable seeds at affordable prices and the right time.
“Farmers judge the strength of a seed system by whether they can obtain trusted seed at the right time and at a viable cost,” he said.
“The value of this forum is that regulators, researchers, producers, financiers and distributors have moved beyond separate conversations to agree on practical responsibilities and a common direction.”
Muhammed called for increased domestic investment in the seed industry to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
“It boils down to investment. We need to invest in research and development. These are things we need to do,” he said.
Sam Daibo, PIND executive director, said the forum had moved stakeholders beyond identifying challenges to assigning responsibilities for addressing them.
“A promising variety that remains in a research station cannot raise a farmer’s yield, and certified seed that does not reach the last mile cannot improve livelihoods,” Daibo said.
“The real test now is whether the priorities agreed here translate into stronger enterprises, credible markets and dependable access for farmers.”
Stephen Adigun, executive secretary of the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN), called for affordable financing tailored to the seasonal needs of seed businesses.
Enola Fabusoro, country director of IDH, emphasised the need for capacity development, improved seed handling and stronger partnerships to implement the forum’s recommendations.
Participants also examined ways to remove certification bottlenecks without compromising standards and improve coordination between regulators and seed producers.
They called for stronger collaboration among researchers, breeders and seed companies to commercialise improved varieties through licensing, technology transfer and public-private partnerships.
The forum also highlighted the need for effective implementation of the National Seed Policy, tougher enforcement against counterfeit seeds and improved quality assurance.
Stakeholders considered financing models suited to the seasonal nature of seed businesses, including guarantees, insurance and technical support to help enterprises attract investment.
The forum was the first major joint activity under a two-year memorandum of understanding signed by PIND and NASC on September 10, 2026.
The partnership combines NASC’s regulatory role with PIND’s market-systems experience to expand access to certified seeds, strengthen local businesses and attract investment in the Niger Delta.
