Nigeria will end importation of fertiliser as domestic production capacity expands, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said during a facility visit in Rivers State.
The authority said the shift will align supply with local output and support Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The disclosure was made by Saidu Mohammed, Chief Executive of NMDPRA, during an inspection of the Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited plant in Eleme Local Government Area.
Mohammed said increasing domestic production makes continued importation of fertiliser unnecessary and costly.
The announcement came as part of a three‑day tour of midstream and downstream oil and gas facilities in Rivers State. The tour focused on production capacity and expansion of value‑added products, including urea fertiliser.
Mohammed said Nigeria aims to become a regional hub for value‑added oil and gas products. He said ongoing and planned investment in fertiliser production will boost local capacity and enable export to international markets by 2028.
He noted that fertiliser imports are no longer justifiable given the scale of domestic output. “Value‑added products like fertilisers and urea are things Nigeria has no business importing,” Mohammed said. He added that the country is on course to begin exporting urea within the next 24 months.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector relies on fertiliser to support crop production and food security. Ending fertiliser importation could reduce foreign exchange expenditure on agro‑inputs and strengthen local production networks.
Industry data show that Nigeria’s fertiliser makers have increased urea exports, with the export value reaching about N856 billion in the first quarter of 2025. This reflects rising production and global demand for Nigerian urea.
The Federal Government and development partners have supported expansion in fertiliser production. In 2024, the African Development Bank and other financiers signed a $75 million loan to boost production and export capacity at Indorama’s urea plant in Port Harcourt. The project is expected to expand production lines and increase employment.
In addition, private sector efforts such as those by Dangote Fertiliser Limited have contributed to Nigeria’s fertiliser output. The company produces millions of metric tons of urea annually and continues to support agricultural input supplies nationwide.
Ending fertiliser imports aligns with broader national goals of strengthening local production and reducing dependence on foreign inputs. Agriculture is a key sector of the economy, contributing significantly to gross domestic product and employment.
However, the senate has previously urged the Federal Government to reduce fertiliser prices to protect farmers, highlighting the need to balance domestic production with affordability of farm inputs.
Nigeria is positioned to end fertiliser importation as domestic production capacity grows. Officials said expanding production at facilities like Indorama will support local industry, reduce foreign exchange costs, and potentially position the country as a fertiliser exporter by 2028.
