President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for its pivotal role in expanding farmers’ access to fertiliser and advancing Nigeria’s food security objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President in a statement issued by the State House Thursday evening, described the implementation of the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (RH-FISP) by NADF as a critical intervention to support smallholder farmers across the country.

The statement noted that the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), now restructured under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has strengthened fertiliser procurement and local production, saying NADF has played a crucial role in ensuring that the inputs reach farmers at the grassroots level.

“Securing inputs and keeping blending plants active is only the first step. The real test is last-mile access — getting fertiliser to the farmers who need it, when they need it,” President Tinubu stated.

He noted that through RH-FISP, NADF is currently distributing 515,720 bags of locally produced fertiliser to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the current planting season, helping to improve productivity and support national food production.

The intervention, coordinated by the Executive Secretary of NADF, Muhammad Abu Ibrahim, is one of the flagship agricultural support programmes designed to boost smallholder farmer productivity, improve yields and strengthen food security across the country.

President Tinubu described the initiative as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promise to make food security a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“When we came into office, we made a promise to Nigerians that food security would be a major pillar of our Renewed Hope Agenda. We promised to support our farmers, strengthen local production, reduce dependence on imports, and build an agricultural system strong enough to withstand shocks from beyond our borders. That promise is being kept,” he said.

Beyond fertiliser distribution, the President also acknowledged NADF’s efforts in promoting modern agricultural practices through digital extension services, harmonised fertiliser application guidance and targeted interventions for priority crops, including rice, maize, cassava and soybean.

Under the leadership of Mohammed A. Ibrahim, NADF has continued to deepen partnerships and implement strategic interventions aimed at improving access to agricultural inputs, enhancing farmer support systems and driving sustainable agricultural development.

The commendation comes amid ongoing federal government efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains and shield the sector from global supply disruptions. President Tinubu noted that strategic interventions across the fertiliser value chain have helped sustain local production capacity, improve affordability and support farmers despite rising global input costs.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation, the President pledged continued support for initiatives that boost productivity, strengthen value chains and improve livelihoods across rural communities.

“Our administration will not relent in its efforts to strengthen Nigerian agriculture and protect food security for every Nigerian. This is the meaning of promise made, promise kept. We will continue to take practical steps that improve productivity, support our farmers, and secure our nation’s food future,” President Tinubu said.