An agriculture expert, Prof. Sami Ayodele, has called on the Federal Government to invest strategically in mushroom production, emphasising its potential to generate over a trillion naira annually and drive significant economic growth.
Prof. Ayodele, a Professor of Botany at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), made the appeal during an interview on Sunday in Lagos.
He said that with increased investment and public awareness, the mushroom industry could become a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.
“The mushroom sector requires substantial investment and awareness initiatives to reach its full potential and become a major contributor to the country’s economic growth,” Ayodele said.
He noted that Nigeria is richly endowed with a variety of mushrooms—both edible and medicinal—yet the sector remains largely underdeveloped despite its profitability.
“If properly harnessed, mushroom farming could significantly contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through local consumption and export opportunities,” he said.
Ayodele estimated that mushroom farming could contribute as much as 25% of Nigeria’s GDP, citing growing global demand due to the nutritional and medicinal benefits of mushrooms.
However, he pointed out several challenges facing the sector, including limited technical knowledge, inadequate infrastructure, poor access to credit, and low public awareness.
To overcome these barriers, he recommended a comprehensive, long-term strategy:
“We need deliberate investments in capacity building through targeted training programmes, accessible and affordable financing, expert guidance, and mentorship,” he explained.
He also emphasised the importance of consistent sensitisation to shift public perceptions and foster a supportive ecosystem for innovation and sustainable growth.
Ayodele urged both government agencies and private investors to prioritise the mushroom value chain, describing it as a promising path toward economic diversification and employment generation.
“With the right policies and support systems in place, mushroom farming can become one of Nigeria’s most lucrative agricultural sub-sectors,” he concluded.
