Agriculture Contributes Over 35% to Nigeria’s GDP - FACAN

News in brief:

-Agriculture contributes over 35% to Nigeria’s GDP when full value chain activities are included.

-The sector employs more than 35% of the workforce and sustains over 75% of rural households.

The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) has reaffirmed agriculture’s central role in Nigeria’s economic growth, revealing that the sector contributes more than 35% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs over one-third of the country’s workforce.

President of FACAN, Sheriff Balogun, disclosed on Thursday at the 2025 National Agricultural Show held in Nasarawa State. This year’s theme, Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Restoring Value; Ensuring Productivity for the Attainment of Food Security in Nigeria, focuses on strengthening farmer capacity and boosting national food production.

According to Balogun, agriculture remains the stabilising pillar of both Nigeria’s economic and social development, sustaining more than 75% of rural households and ensuring food availability for a population exceeding 200 million.

“Critically, agriculture provides over 80 per cent of the daily nutritional intake of more than 200 million Nigerians, making it central to our food security and national well-being,” he said.

Balogun noted that while primary agricultural production contributes approximately 24% to GDP directly, broader value-chain activities, such as logistics, processing, storage, packaging, and exporting, expand the contribution to over 35%.

Agricultural Show as Strategic Growth Platform

Highlighting the significance of the annual event, now in its 17th edition, Balogun praised the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) for building what has become the nation’s leading platform for agricultural innovation, partnership and policy advancement.

He explained that the show connects producers, processors, investors, and exporters while creating new career opportunities for women and young people across the value chain.

“The show has grown into a national hub where farmers present the richness of the country’s primary production, and stakeholders establish new business partnerships,” he stated.

Balogun commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and other partners for their continued collaboration in driving sector transformation.

As Nigeria navigates economic and food system pressures, the agriculture sector, according to FACAN, remains fundamental to national resilience, job creation and long-term sustainable development.