NASENI’s Twin Fertilizer Revolution: A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty

Nigeria’s agricultural sector is once again at the centre of national conversation as the country confronts the twin challenges of food insecurity and food production costs. Granted Nigeria has vast arable land and a large population engaged in farming, yet Nigeria continues to struggle with low yields, poor soil health and heavy dependence on imported agricultural inputs.

For millions of smallholder farmers, the cost and availability of fertilizer remain decisive factors determining what ends up on the nation’s food baskets.

It is against this backdrop that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is positioning itself as a critical driver of change through two major fertilizer projects in Kano State, projects that could reshape the country’s food production landscape and reduce long-standing dependence on conventional urea fertilizer.

Across Nigeria’s farming belts, the condition of the soil tells a troubling story. Years of continuous cultivation, climate stress and inadequate soil management have left farmlands depleted of essential nutrients. Traditional fertilizers such as NPK and urea, while widely used, have increasingly proved insufficient in addressing the complex nutrient needs of Nigerian soils.

Farmers complain that yields are no longer responding to fertilizer application the way they once did, while the rising cost of imported inputs have placed modern farming out of reach for many rural households. This situation has been worsened by global supply disruptions and foreign exchange pressures, which have pushed fertilizer prices beyond the reach of small-scale farmers, reinforcing cycles of low productivity and poverty.

In response to these structural challenges, NASENI has moved beyond research and policy advocacy into direct industrial intervention. At Zogarawa in Kano State, the Agency is nearing completion of two landmark fertilizer facilities: Africa’s first coal-based fertilizer plant and a modernised liquid fertilizer production facility developed in collaboration with Whitefog Environmental Services Limited.

Together, these projects represent a deliberate attempt to address soil degradation, improve crop yields and place Nigeria on a firmer path toward fertilizer self-sufficiency. The coal-based fertilizer project stands out both for its scale and for its innovation.

By harnessing Nigeria’s abundant coal resources and combining them with advanced activation technology sourced through international partnership, NASENI is introducing a fertilizer product that goes beyond the limitations of conventional urea. Unlike standard chemical fertilizers that primarily supply nitrogen, the coal-based fertilizer contains a broad spectrum of mineral nutrients that are often absent in Nigerian soils.

These minerals play a crucial role in restoring soil structure, enhancing microbial activity and improving the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients. Agricultural experts involved in the project explain that the fertilizer operates as a slow-release nutrient system. Rather than delivering a sudden chemical boost that plants may not fully absorb, the coal-based product feeds crops steadily over time.

This approach not only supports healthier plant growth but also reduces nutrient loss through leaching, a common problem in many farming areas. For farmers, the implication is improved yields and more resilient crops, particularly in regions where erratic rainfall and declining soil quality have undermined productivity.

The Zogarawa coal-based fertilizer plant is designed with significant production capacity in mind. When fully operational, the factory is expected to produce 5-tonne hourly and 1,040-tonne monthly production capacity, translating into thousands of tonnes annually. This scale is critical for a country of Nigeria’s size, where demand for fertilizer far outstrips domestic supply.

By situating the plant in Kano, a major agricultural and commercial hub in the North-West, NASENI is also addressing logistical challenges, ensuring that fertilizer can reach key farming communities and smallholder farmers faster and at lower cost.

Also, the coal-based fertilizer plant comes with massive storage warehouses, administrative facilities and testing laboratories, where several engineers and scientists trained on coal production machine installation, operation, repair, and maintenance and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) will have as their operational base.

The pioneering coal fertilizer project by NASENI and its Nigerian partner, Whitefog Environmental Services Limited, is a bilateral agreement on technology transfer between the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by NASENI and Indonesia represented by PT Saputra Global Harvest for the coal fertilizer production in Nigeria.

Also, NASENI and Whitefog are also in separate partnership for production of liquid fertilizer in Nigeria. The NASENI-Whitefog projects aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point Agenda on food security, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Nigeria’s soil quality has been a major concern for farmers, with traditional NPK fertilizers often failing to provide necessary nutrients for optimal crop yields. The coal fertilizer, an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fertilizers, with its 26 additional mineral concentrates and activation technology, is poised to address this challenge.

Alongside the coal-based fertilizer initiative, NASENI is also transforming liquid fertilizer production through another partnership with Whitefog Environmental Services Limited. In the past, liquid fertilizer production at the Kano facility relied largely on manual processes, limiting output and consistency.

Recognising the growing importance of liquid fertilizers in modern agriculture, NASENI intervened by procuring and installing automated production equipment. This upgrade has fundamentally changed the operational capacity of the plant, allowing for higher volumes, improved quality control and greater efficiency.

The Acting Coordinating Director, Engineering Infrastructure Directorate, NASENI Headquarters and Coordinator, NASENI-Whitefog project, Engr. Dr. Agava Abdullahi Abdulrasheed, who inspected the large production factory, massive warehouses, laboratories and administrative buildings at the coal fertilizer and liquid fertilizer plants, said, “the projects will have profound impacts on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, ensuring improved soil quality and fertility, increased crop yields and better harvests for farmers.”

Liquid fertilizers offer distinct advantages for contemporary farming systems. They are absorbed more quickly by crops and can be applied through irrigation systems, making them particularly suitable for dry-season and all-season farming. With the introduction of automated processes, the Kano liquid fertilizer plant is now better positioned to meet the needs of farmers seeking flexible and responsive nutrient solutions. For a country striving to move beyond rain-fed agriculture, this development is especially significant.

Chairman, Whitefog Environmental Services Limited, Alhaji Hassan Inuwa Babura, said “On the issue of the coal fertilizer, we have a permanent site along Wudil Road and construction has already gone far. We have machineries which are on the way, about to be cleared at the seaport and would be installed. Production will commence by May or June 2026,” he added.

What makes NASENI’s approach noteworthy is the complementary nature of the two fertilizer projects. While the coal-based fertilizer focuses on long-term soil restoration and sustained nutrient release, the liquid fertilizer provides immediate nutrient support during critical growth stages. Together, they offer farmers a more comprehensive fertilization strategy, tailored to Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones.

This integrated approach reduces reliance on imported urea and NPK fertilizers, products whose prices and availability are often dictated by global market forces beyond Nigeria’s control.

The implications for food security are considerable. Accesses to affordable and effective fertilizers are cornerstone of increased agricultural productivity. By expanding domestic fertilizers production and introducing alternative nutrient solutions, NASENI is helping to stabilise input supply for farmers. This, in turn, supports higher yields, more consistent harvests and improved income for rural households.

The establishment of fertilizer plants involves not just production but also a wide range of supporting activities, from engineering and maintenance to logistics and distribution. These activities generate employment opportunities and stimulate local economies, especially in regions where industrial development has lagged.

As NASENI continues to drive innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria, the coal fertilizer project stand as a shining example of the Agency’s commitment to transforming the country’s agricultural landscape. With its potential to revolutionize farming practices and improve food security, the two projects will create 2,000 direct jobs and over 20 million indirect jobs across the agricultural value chain stimulating economic growth and transforming the lives of millions of Nigerians.

As farming becomes more productive and predictable, the risk of food shortages and price volatility is reduced, strengthening national food security. Beyond agriculture, the fertilizer projects also speak to broader economic and industrial goals. They align closely with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on food security, job creation and industrialisation.

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