Governors Push for Better Data to Solve Nigeria's Rice Shortage

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is urging for a better, data-focused approach to solve Nigeria’s rice shortage and improve food security.

The NGF Director-General, Abdulateef Shittu, made this call in Abuja on Wednesday during the launch of the "North-West Region Regional Rice Sector Diagnostic Report."

This report was created by the State Agribusiness Investment Programme through the NGF Rice Helpdesk, with support from the Gates Foundation.

Mr Shittu said available data shows Nigeria consumes around 8.6 million metric tons of rice every year. This number is expected to rise to 9.1 million by 2027, while local production stands at only 3.3 million metric tons.

He blamed the shortfall on inconsistent policies, poor budgeting, and lack of accurate data. He emphasized that data is key to the sector’s growth. "A friend of mine said data is the next oil. It is the oxygen that drives and propels development,” Mr Shittu stated.

He encouraged Nigeria to learn from other countries, especially China, which has focused on agricultural self-sufficiency. He believes Nigeria has the ability to supply rice to international markets.

"There is no reason why Nigeria cannot be a net exporter of rice to African countries and even parts of Europe. We have the land and the resources; we just need to coordinate our efforts,” he added.

Mr Shittu pointed out that the NGF Helpdesk has created a new data department. He urged each state to set up its own Bureau of Statistics and collaborate with groups like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

The Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Ayodeji Sotinrin, also spoke at the event. He said the bank plans to support 700,000 farmers in the 2026 wet season, up from 500,000 in 2025. The bank will change its strategy and stop giving direct cash payments.

"We have stopped giving direct cash microcredits to farmers to eliminate non-performing loans and prevent defaults,” Mr Sotinrin explained.

On the issue of mechanization, Mr Sotinrin shared that BOA has invested almost one billion dollars in tractors to address the equipment gap in the country.

"We are expecting 4,000 high-capacity tractors that will allow us to mechanize at least 2.4 million hectares of farmland.

“These will not be handed out to politically connected individuals but deployed through service providers,” he promised.

Andy Ekwelem, the Director-General of the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria, highlighted problems like poor farmer identification, fake inputs, high energy costs, and rural insecurity affecting commercial millers in the North-West.

Dr Ekwelem called on federal and state governments to use verified farmer registers, provide certified seeds and fertilizers, conduct soil tests, and secure important farming routes, especially in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto.

He also requested government help with operational costs, warning that local processors cannot compete with imported rice that has been supported by years of state subsidies.

Phillip Obosi, representing the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, warned that inconsistent regulations could deter private investment.

Mr Obosi pointed out that Nigeria’s expected rice imports of 2.9 million metric tons by 2026, costing 1.4 billion dollars, could greatly affect foreign reserves that local production could save.

He urged governments to turn the report’s suggestions into budget plans and practical programs for input suppliers, smallholders, and mechanization providers.