Nigeria’s seed industry has recorded key institutional and policy gains over the past year, with the Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria reporting stronger governance, deeper global integration and renewed public-sector support following the creation of a ₦50 billion Seed Industry Catalytic Fund.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the association said it recently completed an internal institutional merger that has streamlined operations and strengthened a unified private-sector voice for seed entrepreneurs across the country. According to the association, the consolidation has improved governance coordination while enhancing industry-wide advocacy on issues affecting seed production and regulation.
The association also disclosed that it has been admitted as an Ordinary Status Member of the International Seed Federation, a move it described as a significant step in positioning Nigeria more firmly within the global seed ecosystem. The development is expected to open up new channels for international collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to global best practices for local seed companies.
Further strengthening its institutional framework, the association announced the establishment of a Biotechnology Committee with support from a continental seed trade body. It said the committee will play a key role in industry engagement and advocacy, while supporting the responsible use of modern biotechnology to improve crop resilience, productivity and long-term food security outcomes.
With technical backing from agricultural development partners and consulting firms, the association said it has also completed a five-year strategic plan that sets out a roadmap for innovation, private-sector growth and stronger seed value chains. The plan is designed to improve service delivery to farmers and deepen the role of local seed businesses in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
The association expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the disbursement of the ₦50 billion Seed Industry Catalytic Fund under the current administration’s agricultural reform agenda. Domiciled with the Bank of Industry, the fund is intended to support investment in seed infrastructure, production capacity and marketing, areas many small and medium-sized seed enterprises have struggled to finance.
It also acknowledged the launch of the Renewed Hope Seeds distribution initiative for smallholder farmers, describing it as a complementary effort that can stimulate demand for quality seeds and strengthen linkages between seed producers and farmers.
The association commended regulatory authorities and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their advocacy and reform efforts, noting that sustained policy support remains critical to unlocking private investment in the seed ecosystem.
Urging seed companies to make full and responsible use of the catalytic fund, the association said effective deployment of the facility would accelerate industry growth, expand infrastructure and packaging capacity, and improve nationwide access to certified seeds for farmers.
Reaffirming its role as the umbrella body for responsible seed businesses, the association said it remains committed to promoting the production, distribution and adoption of improved seed varieties capable of supporting Nigeria’s food and nutrition security goals while strengthening the resilience of the country’s agricultural value chains.
