The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to cultivate one million hectares of soybean farmland over the next two years, aiming to produce 460,000 metric tonnes of the commodity and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports.
The initiative, launched under the National Soybean Production Expansion Policy and Strategy, was announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, during a high-profile event on Tuesday.
According to Kyari, Nigeria currently produces 1.35 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually, while domestic demand has soared beyond 2.7 million metric tonnes, driven by the growing food, animal feed, and industrial sectors.
“This supply gap is both a challenge and an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs,” Kyari said.
The Minister described soybeans as a “nutritional powerhouse,” containing 40% high-quality protein and essential amino acids, making it vital for fighting malnutrition and improving household diets.
Nigeria’s soybeans, he added, are naturally non-GMO, giving the country a comparative advantage in premium international markets where demand for non-genetically modified products is rising.
“Roughly one-third of Nigeria’s soybean production goes into poultry feed, where it constitutes about 20–25% of the mix. By boosting local production, we will reduce reliance on imported feed ingredients, strengthen poultry and aquaculture industries, and build a resilient food system,” he explained.
Speaking at the launch, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, described the policy as a “national transformation strategy” capable of generating ₦3.9 trillion annually, creating one million jobs across 22 states and the FCT, and positioning Nigeria as a global agricultural powerhouse.
Benue, historically known as Nigeria’s “soybean hub”, is expected to play a critical role in achieving the target.
“Benue will double our soybean output from 202,000 to at least 400,000 metric tonnes in three years,” Alia said. “We will also reach 200,000 farmers with high-yield, disease-resistant seeds under our Soybean Seed Multiplication and Distribution Programme.”
The state also plans to boost average yields from 1.2 to 3 metric tonnes per hectare through mechanisation clusters, climate-smart agriculture, and farmer training.
Kyari stressed that achieving these targets requires deliberate action, strong governance, and strategic collaboration.
“Government will provide an enabling environment, supportive policies, and targeted interventions to make Nigeria’s soybean value chain competitive both locally and internationally,” the Minister stated.
The plan also seeks to open new global export opportunities, positioning Nigeria as a leading supplier of non-GMO soybeans, particularly to markets in Europe and Asia where such products attract premium pricing.
Agricultural economists have welcomed the initiative, noting that soybeans are a strategic crop with potential to reduce Nigeria’s $10bn annual food import bill. However, they warn that achieving the targets will depend on financing smallholder farmers, providing storage facilities, and ensuring stable market prices.