By Ejire Folakunmi
The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has revealed that Nigeria spends $10 billion annually on the importation of wheat, rice, sugar, fish, and tomato paste, despite ongoing government efforts to transform the agricultural sector.
Dr. Godwin Atser, SAA Nigeria Country Director, disclosed this during the 2026 Annual Stakeholders Workshop and the celebration of SAA’s 40th anniversary on Thursday in Abuja. The workshop, themed “SAA @ 40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale,” serves as a platform to reflect on the organization’s strategic goals and agricultural development in Nigeria.
Atser attributed the high import bill to the country’s low production capacity, which fails to meet local demand. He emphasized the urgent need to provide farmers with the right technologies through effective extension and advisory services. He pointed out a significant gap in the system, noting that Nigeria currently has only one extension agent for every 10,000 farmers, a ratio he described as grossly inadequate for agricultural transformation.
“SAA has been supporting agricultural transformation in Nigeria for 33 years,” Atser said. “While we take pride in the progress made, we are mindful of evolving challenges including climate variability, population pressures, and shifting economic realities.”
In a keynote address titled “The Role of the Private Sector in Agricultural Development in Nigeria,” the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, noted that agriculture employs approximately 34% of the labor force and contributes 25% to the nation’s GDP. He stressed that smallholder farmers are the backbone of food security and rural livelihoods.
Hideo argued that advancing mechanization, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening market links are crucial to raising Nigeria’s productivity. He commended SAA for its four decades of unwavering commitment to maximizing Nigeria’s agricultural capacity and transforming the landscape through innovative approaches.