FG Raises Alarm as Nigeria Loses 24 Million Tonnes of Topsoil Annually

News in brief:

-Nigeria loses 24 million tonnes of topsoil yearly due to erosion and land degradation.

-FG and partners push soil restoration efforts, with Germany committing $2.2m in support.

The Federal Government has warned that Nigeria loses approximately 24 million tonnes of topsoil annually due to erosion and land degradation, describing the trend as a major threat to food security and climate resilience.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja during the unveiling of the Global Project – Soil Matters.

Soil Health Critical to Food Security and Climate Stability

Abdullahi emphasised the strategic importance of healthy soil, noting its role in water retention, drought resistance, and carbon sequestration.

“Soil is not merely the dirt beneath our feet; it is the cornerstone of our food security, economy and climate resilience,” he said.

He added that with over 70% of Nigerians dependent on agriculture, continued soil degradation poses significant risks to livelihoods and national stability.

Government Links Soil Restoration to Economic Goals

The minister stated that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government aims to boost agricultural productivity, feed the nation’s population, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a net food exporter.

He stressed that achieving these targets would be impossible without restoring soil health and improving land management practices.

“A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself. Nigeria will not be that nation,” he said.

Abdullahi urged state governments to domesticate the national soil policy, calling on stakeholders to treat soil as a critical national asset requiring urgent protection.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, noted that agricultural transformation would remain unattainable without sustained investment in soil management.

Germany Commits $2.2m to Soil Health Initiative

Meanwhile, the German government has pledged $2.2 million to support soil health improvement efforts in Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Johannes Lehne, said the initiative comes at a critical time as soil degradation continues to affect agricultural productivity, farmer livelihoods, and climate resilience.

Lehne explained that the SoilMatters project would strengthen data systems, promote evidence-based decision-making, and provide practical advisory tools to farmers.

She added that the initiative represents a collaborative approach involving government institutions, research bodies, the private sector, and international partners.

According to her, improved coordination, stronger partnerships, and better use of data would be essential to achieving sustainable soil management in Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the event emphasised the need for urgent and coordinated action to address soil degradation.

They noted that strengthening soil health would play a vital role in improving agricultural productivity, enhancing climate resilience, and securing long-term food systems in Nigeria.