Nigerian bakers sound alarm over growing dependence on wheat imports

Nigerian bakers are raising fresh concerns about the country’s deepening dependence on wheat imports, warning that the mounting pressure on the baking industry is becoming increasingly unsustainable. According to the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), the nation now imports more than 4.8 million tonnes of wheat annually to cover a widening supply gap, driving up production costs and destabilising the bread market.

Speaking at PBAN’s 2025 Day-Out Exhibition and Master Class in Lagos, PBAN President Emmanuel Onuorah noted that Nigeria consumes about 5.1 million tonnes of wheat each year, while domestic production barely reaches 300,000 tonnes. This imbalance, he stressed, places enormous strain on bakers, especially as bread remains one of the most accessible and widely consumed staples in the country.

Onuorah added that domestic wheat production is being crippled by insecurity, including banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on farmers. Economic pressures have further weakened the sector: from the post-COVID period to 2025, more than 40% of bakeries have shut down, reducing PBAN’s membership from over 100,000 to fewer than 60,000. High energy costs, multiple taxation, double-digit interest rates, and poor infrastructure continue to threaten the viability of bakery businesses nationwide.

Despite these challenges, Onuorah commended President Bola Tinubu for removing the 15% wheat import duty and eliminating VAT on wheat and grains, measures that have helped stabilise bread prices after two years of volatility. PBAN’s Planning Committee Chairperson, Adijatu Olopade, said this year’s exhibition aimed to train bakers to increase productivity and strengthen their business resilience amid economic pressure.

Meanwhile, the federal government is pushing to reduce import dependence by targeting US$109 million in revenue from wheat cultivation during the 2025/2026 dry season. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari announced that under the NAGS-AP programme, 40,000 hectares have been allocated for wheat farming and 80,000 farmers registered nationwide. Borno State and 15 other states are participating, many for the first time, with support including certified seeds, fertilisers and crop protection. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum welcomed the initiative, highlighting the region’s vast arable land and reiterating his commitment to supporting irrigation expansion, smallholders, women, and youth to strengthen Nigeria’s food security.

Tags: wheat, imports, Nigeria