International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), through its Soil Values programme funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science, have launched the activities marking World Soil Day 2025 in Nigeria.

The theme of this year’s edition, “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities”, was celebrated in the presence of the Minister of State for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi, as well as numerous other agricultural sector stakeholders.

In his opening address, titled “Soil as the Foundation for Food Sovereignty and Climate Resilience”, the Minister emphasised that soil health constitutes an essential basis for achieving food sovereignty and climate resilience in Nigeria. According to him, World Soil Day is a global event that highlights the importance of soils in ensuring food sovereignty, climate resilience, and improving livelihoods.

According to the minister, soil is the backbone of the agricultural sector, providing 95 per cent of our food and 15 of the 18 essential elements required for plant growth (un.org; fao.org), adding that soil supports crop growth and livestock farming, purifies water, regulates climate, sequesters carbon, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms, thereby contributing to ecosystem services and biodiversity.

According to the minister, the ministry launched the Nigerian Soil Health Program for Farmers (NFSHS) on October 13, 2025, in the presence of approximately 600 farmers, dignitaries, and partners.

The NFSHS aims to transform the Nigerian agricultural sector. The programme provides fertiliser recommendations adapted to crops and areas, which discourages the indiscriminate application of fertilisers, reduces waste, and lowers production costs for farmers. It also promotes organic amendments and sustainable land management practices, encouraging the adoption of technologies to improve soil health across the country’s different agroecological zones.

In his message, the Director of the Soil Values programme, Dr Alain Sy Traoré, explained that the sub-theme of the 2025 edition – “Valuing our Soils, Foundation for Food Sovereignty and Climate Resilience,” was chosen to emphasise the crucial importance of healthy soils for the economies of countries.

In her remarks, the Deputy Director of the Soil Values technical programme, Dr Alimata Boundaogou, in her presentation titled “Scaling Up ISFM and SWC Practices”, stressed the need to improve seeds, among other measures. She urged participants to strengthen farmer resilience and promote gender equality and social inclusion, especially for women, youth, and people living with disabilities.