Soil health is the capacity of soil to function as a living and dynamic ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Healthy soil supports nutrient availability, water retention, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Years of declining soil fertility, inefficient fertilizer use, and land degradation have continued to affect crop productivity in Nigeria. Strengthening soil health is therefore essential to achieving food security, reducing input waste, and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

The Federal Government has launched the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), a major programme designed to improve crop yields, enhance soil fertility management, and support national food sovereignty under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The launch event took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with leaders from government institutions, the research community, development partners, and farmer organisations in attendance. The Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF), University of Ibadan, was duly represented by Dr. Benjamin Oyelami and Dr. Oreoluwa Akano.

One of the distinguished speaker, Senator Saliu Mustapha explained that the initiative will deploy scientific, crop-specific fertilizer recommendations to optimise input use, raise farmer incomes, and reduce environmental impact. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the programme as a strategic investment in soil stewardship, digital innovation, and precision agriculture, noting that ongoing government interventions have included large-scale distribution of fertilizers, tractors, and expansion of cultivated land nationwide. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasised that healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable agriculture and food security. He reiterated that pilot assessments across 11 states already show strong potential for significant increases in crop yields.

The initiative is being championed by the Nigeria government and supported by partners including GIZ, the World Bank’s ACReSAL project, IITA, Soil Values, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The NFSHS is poised to create employment opportunities for youth and women in soil-testing and advisory services. PiLAF remains committed to supporting data-driven policy initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s food systems and ensure enhanced livelihood outcomes for farmers.