The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria will end fertiliser imports as expanding domestic production capacity reduces the need for foreign supply.
The authority said the shift supports national goals for local value addition and export growth.
Nigeria has long depended on imported fertiliser to meet agricultural demand, contributing to foreign exchange pressure and exposure to global supply volatility.
Efforts to develop local fertiliser production have been part of government policy and private sector investment to support agricultural productivity, food security and agro-industrial growth.
Recent financing and expansion by domestic producers such as Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals and Dangote Fertiliser have contributed to increased output capacity.
The NMDPRA regulates midstream and downstream petroleum products, including inputs like urea that are essential for fertiliser production. Nigeria’s agriculture sector is a significant part of the economy, accounting for about a quarter of gross domestic product and employing a large share of the labour force.
Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Saidu Mohammed, announced the plan during an inspection tour at Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. He said that with rising domestic output, continued importation of fertiliser products, including urea, is no longer justifiable.
Mohammed noted that Nigeria is expanding private-sector production capacity and is deliberately positioning itself as a regional hub for value-added petroleum products. With expected levels of output, he said Nigeria aims to begin exporting urea by 2028.
The facility tour formed part of a broader three-day inspection of oil and gas midstream and downstream assets in the state, reflecting the authority’s oversight of energy-linked industries.
Industry stakeholders have reported growth in fertiliser production and export activity. Nigeria’s fertiliser sector recorded significant export earnings, with urea exports amounting to hundreds of billions of naira in recent quarters, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Ending fertiliser imports could reduce Nigeria’s foreign exchange outflows and strengthen domestic agricultural supply chains.
A shift toward local production aligns with broader national strategies to promote import substitution and industrialisation of value-added products. Expanded production capacity also supports potential revenue from exports, enhancing Nigeria’s position in regional markets.
However, stakeholders such as the Senate earlier called for measures to reduce fertiliser prices to protect farmers’ livelihoods, indicating the importance of ensuring affordability as local production scales up.
Enhanced local fertiliser production may also require continued investment in infrastructure, regulatory certainty and supportive policies to sustain output growth and ensure stable supply for the agriculture sector.
The NMDPRA’s announcement that Nigeria plans to end fertiliser imports reflects growing domestic production capacity and efforts to position the country as a regional producer and exporter of value-added products.
As local fertiliser output expands, government agencies and industry players will need to focus on affordability, infrastructure and policy coherence to support farmers and strengthen food security.
