Nigeria's Wheat Production Growth Falls Short Amid Soaring Demand

Nigeria's efforts to become self-sufficient in wheat production have yielded mixed results. While production has nearly doubled since 2020, consumption has risen by over 45% and imports have increased to meet demand.

According to a report from World-Grain, the government and milling companies have implemented various interventions, including subsidies and trade restrictions. However, despite these efforts, Nigeria still relies on imports for up to 98% of its wheat demand, with major suppliers including Canada, Australia, Russia, the United States, and Black Sea countries.

The government has introduced initiatives such as the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme, Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), which provides subsidies and extension services to farmers. However, ActionAid Nigeria has raised concerns about transparency, stating that the program needs more evidence-based assessment and that limited data transparency raises questions about effectiveness, inclusiveness, and accountability.