Nigeria spent N2.22tn on agricultural imports in the first half of 2025, a 22.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows.
Imports climbed from N1.04tn in the first quarter to N1.18tn in the second quarter. The surge was linked to the government’s 180-day duty-free window, introduced in July 2024, which allowed licensed millers and firms to import staples such as rice, maize, and wheat without paying tariffs. The policy ended in December 2024.
Farmers say the measure worsened their situation by flooding the market and pushing down local prices. Kabir Ibrahim, president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, noted that maize prices fell from about N60,000 to N30,000 per tonne, leaving producers unable to recover input costs.
Women farmers also raised concerns about poor-quality subsidised inputs. “Fertilisers and herbicides have become unaffordable,” said Chinasa Asonye, National Secretary of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation. She added that some distributed inputs were expired and damaged crops.
Stakeholders warn that heavy reliance on imports threatens long-term food security. They argue that subsidies, better infrastructure, and measures to boost consumer purchasing power are essential to support local farmers. Without these steps, experts caution that Nigeria’s dependence on imports will continue to grow, leaving producers unable to sustain operations.
