ABUJA: The Sasakawa Africa Association has revealed that Nigeria spends about $10 billion annually on the importation of wheat, rice, sugar, fish and tomato paste, despite ongoing efforts to transform the agricultural sector.
Dr Godwin Atser, SAA Nigeria Country Director, disclosed this at the 2026 Annual Stakeholders Workshop and the celebration of the organisation’s 40th anniversary on Thursday in Abuja.
The SAA, he said, aims to increase farmers’ income and improve food and nutrition security through the promotion of market-oriented, sustainable, resilient, regenerative and nutrition-sensitive agricultural innovations, while also building the capacity of extension agents and farmers.
SSA is an international non-governmental organisation that works to improve agriculture in African countries, including Nigeria.
Its main focus is helping smallholder farmers increase productivity through better farming methods, training, access to markets, and extension services.
The workshop, themed “SAA @ 40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale,” provided a platform for reflection and future planning.
Atser attributed the high import bill to Nigeria’s low production capacity to meet local demand, stressing the need to make appropriate technologies available to farmers through effective extension and advisory services.
According to him, available data show that Nigeria has one extension agent to about 10,000 farmers, a ratio he described as grossly inadequate for transforming the agricultural sector.
He said the workshop was a high-level event designed to review the organisation’s 2021–2025 Strategic Plan and chart a path forward for agricultural development in the country.
“SAA has been supporting agricultural transformation in Nigeria for 33 years, contributing to improved productivity, enhanced livelihoods, and strengthened extension systems.
“This workshop is not merely ceremonial; it is a strategic and data-rich forum for reflection, accountability and knowledge sharing,” he said.
Atser added that the meeting would provide a critical platform to redefine stakeholders’ ambitions, exchange ideas, share lessons, and align strategies for greater coherence and collective impact.
He noted that SAA selects annual themes to address emerging challenges and guide interventions, particularly in regenerative agriculture, markets, and nutrition-sensitive practices.
According to him, the 2026 theme reflects both the organisation’s achievements and the urgent need to address evolving challenges such as climate variability, population growth, and shifting economic realities.
“The mission of Sasakawa is to empower smallholder farmers with knowledge, technologies, markets and inclusive extension systems to achieve sustainable food, nutrition and income security for resilient and thriving livelihoods,” he said.
In a keynote address titled “The Role of Private Sector in Agricultural Development in Nigeria,” Suzuki Hideo, Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, said the country’s agriculture is driven by millions of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of food security and rural livelihoods.
He noted that agriculture employs about 34 percent of Nigeria’s labour force and contributes about 25 percent to the nation’s GDP, stressing that advancing mechanisation, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening market linkages are crucial to boosting productivity.
Hideo added that for the past 40 years, SAA has worked tirelessly to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural production capacity.
“The organisation’s unwavering commitment and innovative approaches have significantly transformed the agricultural landscape,” he said.
