Nigeria requires approximately 25 million tonnes of maize each year to meet domestic demand, agricultural experts and industry stakeholders say, underscoring the importance of boosting local production and reducing reliance on imports.
According to a recent analysis by the Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MAGPMA), the country’s estimated annual maize requirement encompassing food, feed (for poultry and livestock), and industrial uses stands at roughly 25 million tonnes.
The figure is based on current consumption levels, population growth and rising demand from agro-industrial sectors. It far outstrips local production, which industry sources estimate at around approximately 14 million tonnes per year, leaving a substantial production gap that affects prices, food security and downstream supply chains.
Experts say that closing this gap would require sustained efforts to expand maize cultivation, improve access to high-yield seeds and fertilisers, enhance mechanisation, and strengthen agricultural extension services. They also call for better policy support and investment to stabilise the market and protect farmers’ incomes.
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