Nigeria spends about $2 bln annually on wheat imports

Nigeria loses around $2 billion each year on wheat imports due to policy shortcomings, security challenges, and structural weaknesses in the wheat sector. According to Dr. Oluwasina Gbenga Olabanji, former Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, the country has the potential to become self-sufficient in wheat production, with more than 1.5 million hectares of suitable land and a strong research base, but this potential remains largely untapped.

Key constraints include widespread farmer displacement caused by insecurity in northern regions, underutilization of flour milling capacity, and significant wheat smuggling to neighboring countries. The weakness of the naira against the CFA franc has made informal exports more attractive, while the domestic market continues to rely heavily on imports. Without consistent agricultural policies, stronger border controls, and sustained support for mechanized farming, Nigeria is likely to continue incurring substantial economic losses.

Tags: wheat, imports, Nigeria