Fertiliser Supply Stabilised as FG Strengthens Centralised Procurement System Ahead of 2026 Farming Season

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has said it has significantly strengthened fertiliser availability and price stability ahead of the 2026 wet season through a tightened central procurement and distribution framework under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI NPK), designed to shield farmers from global supply shocks and domestic market volatility.

Under the arrangement, PFI NPK Limited—operating under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated—coordinates bulk purchase of fertiliser raw materials, while distribution and blending activities are executed through a regulated national network of plants and warehouses. The system is structured to ensure that inputs remain under central control until verified sales are completed and financial settlements are concluded.

To reinforce transparency and accountability across the supply chain, independent Collateral Management Agents have been deployed to oversee storage facilities nationwide. Their role includes verifying stock levels, monitoring movements, and ensuring that fertiliser inputs are properly secured throughout the distribution process.

The operational framework is guided by standard procedures developed in collaboration with the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), while quality assurance and regulatory enforcement remain under the supervision of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Security and operational clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) continues to serve as a critical requirement for nationwide logistics coordination and scaling of operations.

Officials said the system has already begun delivering results, with fertiliser raw materials either arriving in-country or currently in transit, while blending plants across the country continue to receive steady supply inputs ahead of peak farming demand.

The government argued that the intervention has reduced exposure to sudden international price spikes and supply chain disruptions that previously affected farmers during critical planting periods.

Dr. Takang, Managing Director of PFI NPK Limited, said the priority is ensuring that farmers are not only able to access fertiliser on time but also at stable and affordable prices that support production rather than undermine it.

“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, we are supporting that outcome at scale,” he said.

Looking forward, PFI NPK said it is expanding government-to-government sourcing arrangements with international partners to further secure raw material supply lines. It is also developing a digital monitoring platform that will provide real-time tracking of procurement, inventory levels, and nationwide distribution flows.

As the 2026 farming season approaches, authorities said the system is expected to play a key role in improving agricultural productivity by ensuring predictable fertiliser availability, reducing market uncertainty, and strengthening food production capacity across the country.

Fertiliser Supply Stabilised as FG Strengthens Centralised Procurement System Ahead of 2026 Farming Season

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

By: Michael Mike

Rural women in Great Sheda Community of Kwali Area Council, Abuja, have received a major economic boost following the inauguration of a modern agro-processing centre designed to ease cassava processing and expand income-generating opportunities for women farmers and processors.

The facility, established through a partnership between UN Women and the TY Danjuma Foundation, was officially launched on Monday in the community, with stakeholders describing the intervention as a significant step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment and rural development.

At the heart of the project is a cassava peeling and grinding machine that is expected to transform the production of Akpu, a staple food that serves as a major source of livelihood for many women in the area. For years, local processors relied largely on manual methods that demanded long hours of labour and limited production capacity. The new facility is expected to reduce processing time, improve efficiency and enable women to devote more time to other productive ventures.

Speaking during the inauguration, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong said the initiative goes beyond providing equipment, stressing that it represents an investment in the productivity and economic future of rural women.

According to her, reducing the burden associated with manual cassava processing would help women increase their earnings, pursue additional economic activities and contribute more effectively to the development of their families and communities.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Hannatu Gentles, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting underserved communities through strategic interventions in health, education and economic empowerment.

She described women as the backbone of the rural economy and expressed confidence that members of the Akpu Women Association would utilise the facility to expand their businesses and improve the welfare of their households.

Also speaking at the event, former FCT Mandate Secretary and Director-General of the Mariam Babangida Centre, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, noted that access to modern processing tools would not only improve cassava production but also strengthen food security, stimulate economic growth and enhance community resilience.

Residents of Great Sheda welcomed the intervention, describing it as a transformative project capable of increasing productivity, raising household incomes and stimulating economic activities across the community and neighbouring settlements.

The agro-processing centre is expected to serve women processors within Great Sheda and surrounding communities, creating opportunities for improved food processing practices, higher earnings and stronger local economic growth.

The project underscores growing efforts by development partners and philanthropic organisations to support women as key drivers of economic development, food security and sustainable community growth in rural Nigeria.

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Recover 20 Motorcycles in Zamfara Crackdown

By: Zagazola Makama

The Zamfara State Police Command says it has arrested 21 suspects and recovered 20 motorcycles during a special operation targeting reckless motorcycle riders and public disturbances in parts of Gusau Local Government Area.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Gusau.

According to the statement, the operation followed repeated complaints from residents of Birnin Ruwa, Tullukawa and Yar Gada communities over the activities of groups of youths popularly known as “Arlet Boys.”

The police said the youths were allegedly involved in reckless motorcycle riding and other acts capable of causing public disorder in the affected communities.

The statement explained that on June 7 at about 7:30 p.m., police operatives carried out coordinated raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots within the three communities.

It said the operation led to the arrest of 21 suspects and the recovery of 20 motorcycles.

“The arrested suspects will be subjected to thorough screening and investigation, while those found culpable will be charged to court accordingly,” the statement said.

The command assured residents that the operation would be sustained to rid the affected communities of criminal elements and enhance public safety.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support crime prevention efforts across the state.

The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property throughout Zamfara.

Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Recover 20 Motorcycles in Zamfara Crackdown