Nigeria spends about $2 bln annually on wheat imports
Nigeria loses about $2 billion annually on wheat imports due to insecurity, weak policies, smuggling, and underused milling capacity. Despite having over 1.5 million hectares suitable for wheat and strong research support, production remains low. Farmer displacement, porous borders, and inconsistent government backing hinder self-sufficiency, keeping Nigeria dependent on costly imports.
Nigeria loses around $2 billion each year on wheat imports due to policy shortcomings, security challenges, and structural weaknesses in the wheat sector. According to Dr. Oluwasina Gbenga Olabanji, former Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, the country has the potential to become self-sufficient in wheat production, with more than 1.5 million hectares of suitable land and a strong research base, but this potential remains largely untapped.
Key constraints include widespread farmer displacement caused by insecurity in northern regions, underutilization of flour milling capacity, and significant wheat smuggling to neighboring countries. The weakness of the naira against the CFA franc has made informal exports more attractive, while the domestic market continues to rely heavily on imports. Without consistent agricultural policies, stronger border controls, and sustained support for mechanized farming, Nigeria is likely to continue incurring substantial economic losses.
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Source : Ukr Agro Consult
