As Nigeria continues to battle food insecurity, rising input costs, and a fragile agricultural base, one truth stands tall: we cannot continue to depend on imported agricultural technologies to feed ourselves. Our nation’s future lies in developing a homegrown agricultural innovation system that can compete globally in seed technology, crop protection, and sustainable farming.
Countries that now dominate world food systems did not achieve that status by accident. They invested strategically in research, biotechnology, and local innovation. Companies like Syngenta and Monsanto now part of the Syngenta Group in China and Bayer Crop Science in Germany are powerful examples of what deliberate commitment to agricultural science can achieve. These firms revolutionised modern farming by developing genetically improved seeds, pest-resistant crops, and precision agriculture systems that help farmers produce more with less.
Nigeria, with over seventy million hectares of arable land, rich biodiversity, and an energetic youth population, has no excuse to remain a net importer of seeds and agrochemicals. The time has come to create our own version of Syngenta or Monsanto a Nigerian Agricultural Technology Corporation that will drive innovation, strengthen food sovereignty, and unlock the full potential of our farmlands.
Every year, Nigerian farmers spend billions importing seeds, herbicides, and fertilizers most of which are products of multinational companies operating from Europe, America, and Asia. This overdependence drains our foreign reserves and makes us vulnerable to global market volatility. A national agro-biotechnology corporation would change that narrative. With government support and private sector participation, Nigeria can develop improved maize, rice, cassava, and tomato varieties suited to our climate while producing eco-friendly fertilizers and crop protection chemicals locally.
Imagine a future where Nigerian scientists lead seed research in West Africa, our chemical plants in Ogun, Kaduna, and Cross River States manufacture agricultural inputs for regional markets, and our farmers no longer wait for imported hybrids before planting. That vision is possible but it requires bold leadership, strategic investment, and unwavering political will.
A Nigerian version of Syngenta must be rooted in science and sustainability. It should prioritise research and seed development, crop protection manufacturing, digital agriculture, and public-private collaboration. Such an initiative could create over half a million jobs across research, manufacturing, and farm services within five years. It would also boost food production, reduce imports, and empower a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has already set the tone for a new era of economic diversification and food security. What Nigeria needs now is a bold institutional leap a national agro-tech powerhouse that positions the country as Africa’s hub for agricultural innovation. Just as Dangote transformed the cement and energy sectors, we can build an agro-biotech giant that does for farming what those industries did for manufacturing and infrastructure.
This initiative could attract funding from the African Development Bank, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and global impact investors focused on climate-smart agriculture. It would strengthen partnerships with local universities and research institutes to ensure that Nigerian scientists and engineers drive the innovation process. Most importantly, it would end the cycle of dependency that has kept our farmers and food systems vulnerable for decades.
Agriculture remains the single largest employer of labour in Nigeria, yet it contributes far below its potential to national GDP. Our farmers work hard, but without modern tools, quality inputs, and research-driven practices, their productivity remains low. A national agro-biotech corporation would bridge that gap, modernising the sector and making it attractive to young Nigerians seeking meaningful employment.
This is not just about agriculture it is about national pride, economic sovereignty, and industrial transformation. Nigeria must not remain a consumer of agricultural innovation; we must become a producer and exporter of it. If we act with foresight and determination, we can make Nigeria the heartbeat of agricultural science in Africa.
The call is clear: let us build our own Syngenta. Let us create our own Monsanto. Let us empower Nigerian science to feed Nigerian soil. The seeds of greatness are already in our hands. What we need now is the courage to plant them.
Mr Kabiru Adeniyi Adisa, FCA, is a financial controller, community servant, and advocate for agricultural and industrial development.
