The Federal Government has warned that Nigeria loses about 24 million tonnes of topsoil annually due to erosion and land degradation, describing the trend as a major threat to food security and climate resilience.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, raised the concern on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the Global Project – Soil Matters.
Abdullahi stressed that healthy soil is vital for water retention, drought resistance and carbon sequestration, noting that restoring soil organic matter is critical in the face of increasing climate shocks.
“Soil is not merely the dirt beneath our feet; it is the cornerstone of our food security, economy and climate resilience,” he said.
He added that with over 70 per cent of Nigerians dependent on agriculture, continued soil loss poses a significant risk to national development.
The minister said the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to boost agricultural productivity, feed over 220 million Nigerians, create jobs and position the country as a net food exporter.
He, however, noted that achieving these goals depends largely on restoring soil health.
Abdullahi recalled that the government, in collaboration with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), had launched the Nigerian Soil Information System (NiSIS) and the Coalition of the Willing (CoW) to enhance soil management.
According to him, NiSIS is a digital platform that provides real-time data on soil properties, nutrient levels and management recommendations to farmers, researchers and fertiliser blenders.
He explained that the Coalition of the Willing brings together government, private sector actors, farmers and researchers to share knowledge and resources for improved soil health.
The minister further said the Soil Matters – Innovations in Soil Health and Agroecology project, implemented by the German International Cooperation (GIZ), would promote sustainable soil service businesses, particularly for youth and women.
He added that the initiative would also support policy incentives, including tax reliefs and standards for soil restoration.
Abdullahi urged state governments to domesticate the National Soil Policy and called on stakeholders to prioritise soil as a critical national asset.
“No soil, no food; no food, no peace,” he emphasised.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, said agricultural transformation would remain unattainable without sustained investment in soil management.
He described the project as a platform to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation and promote farmer education on sustainable practices.
Also speaking, Dr Erkossa Teklu, Project Manager of the Global Project Soil Matters at GIZ, said the initiative is designed to establish a self-sustaining soil management system in Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that by 2028, the Coalition of the Willing and the NiSIS platform would operate independently under Nigerian leadership.
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