Agricultural stakeholders have called for fertiliser recommendations tailored to local soil conditions to improve crop yields, reduce nutrient waste and strengthen food security in Nigeria.
The call was made at the Nigeria Fertiliser Summit 2026 in Abuja on Tuesday. The summit, themed “Phosphorus and Food Security: Challenges in Food Production Systems in Nigeria”, was organised by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) and Obafemi Awolowo University, with support from industry and government partners.
Bello Shehu, a senior agronomist at the Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health for West and Sahel, said phosphorus was essential for root development, crop growth and grain formation. However, its availability varies according to soil properties and farming conditions.
Shehu cited 2025 site-specific nutrient recommendations for maize and rice in northern Nigeria, which showed phosphorus requirements ranging from zero to more than 60 kilogrammes of phosphorus pentoxide per hectare within the same target area.
He said uniform fertiliser application rates could therefore lead to inefficient use of nutrients, highlighting the need for better soil data and practical guidance for farmers.
The hub is developing enhanced digital soil maps and supporting the integration of site-specific recommendations into AKILIMO 2.0, a digital advisory platform designed to help farmers make informed agricultural decisions.
IAR&T Executive Director Gabriel Oluwatosin said the summit aimed to develop a coordinated national strategy for sustainable phosphorus management through precision nutrient application, quality fertiliser production, effective regulation and strategic investment.
Participants stressed that collaboration among government, researchers, industry and farmers would be essential to improving soil health, agricultural productivity and national food security.
