The Federal Government says soil health is central to achieving food sovereignty and climate resilience in Nigeria.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, made the statement on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 World Soil Day celebration, themed “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.”
Abdullahi noted that soil forms the backbone of Nigeria’s agriculture, supplying 95 per cent of the nation’s food and providing most of the essential nutrients required for plant growth.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to restoring soil health through sustainable agricultural practices and highlighted the recent launch of the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme, describing it as a key component of the government’s Renewed Hope agenda for food security.
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The minister added that the initiative also seeks to curb soil and water pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote climate-smart, regenerative agriculture.
In goodwill messages, representatives from the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science and the Soil Values Programme warned that rapid urbanization, erosion, nutrient loss, and land degradation continue to threaten the country’s soil resources.
They urged farmers to adopt improved soil management practices and encouraged young people to explore opportunities in soil science and agribusiness.
