Nigeria has a vibrant fertilizer industry catering to the needs of its large agricultural sector. Regular use of fertilizers has helped boost crop yields and agricultural productivity in the country. In this article, we will explore the top 10 best fertilizer companies operating in Nigeria. We will look at their profiles, operations, production capacities, key product offerings, and more. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of the major players in the Nigerian fertilizer market.
Top 10 Best Fertilizer Companies in Nigeria
1. Dangote Fertilizer
Dangote Fertilizer is the largest and most prominent fertilizer company in Nigeria. It operates the largest Granulated Urea fertilizer complex in Africa, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The company has an installed capacity of 3 million metric tonnes of urea fertilizer per year. Dangote Fertilizer plays a pivotal role in meeting Nigeria’s substantial fertilizer requirements and enhancing national food security.
2. Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited
Indorama Eleme Fertilizer operates one of the largest fertilizer plants globally. Located in Port Harcourt, it has an annual production capacity of 2.8 million metric tonnes of granular urea. The company also offers a range of NPK fertilizers to cater to the needs of Nigerian farmers. Indorama Eleme is a major domestic and export player in the Nigerian fertilizer landscape.
3. Notore Chemical Industries Plc
Notore Chemical Industries is an integrated agricultural company involved in the manufacturing and supply of fertilizers. It owns and operates a state-of-the-art fertilizer plant in Onne, Rivers State with an installed capacity of 550,000 tonnes per annum. Notore supplies high-quality NPK fertilizers to farmers and promotes best practices in agriculture across Nigeria.
4. Premium Seed Limited
Premium Seed is a leading indigenous player focused on the production and supply of certified fertilizers and agricultural seeds. It blends different NPK grades tailored to soil and crop requirements. Premium Seed operates blending facilities in Benue, Kaduna and Kano states with a combined capacity of over 500,000MT per year.
5. Golden Fertilizer Company Limited
Golden Fertilizer Company is a subsidiary of Nigeria’s largest flour miller, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. It produces NPK grades such as 15:15:15, 12:12:17, and 20:10:10 through its blending plants. Golden Fertilizer has a strong distribution network and brand recognition among farmers nationwide.
6. BEJAFTA Group Limited
BEJAFTA is a major producer and supplier of high-quality fertilizers such as NPK 20-10-10 and 15-15-15. It operates an advanced blending facility in Jos, Plateau State with a daily capacity of over 900 tons. BEJAFTA serves various sectors including agriculture, oil/gas, and manufacturing.
7. NitroPhos Nigeria Limited
NitroPhos operates a state-of-the-art fertilizer blending plant in Delta State. It offers soil-targeted products like NPK 15-15-15 to farmers. The company promotes responsible fertilizer use and partners with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.
8. Nitromobil International Nigeria Ltd
Nitromobil specializes in importing and supplying fertilizers from reputed foreign companies. It has a reliable distribution network and assists both smallholder and commercial farmers through advice and access to quality fertilizer inputs.
9. Chianter Fertilizer Company Limited
Chianter Fertilizer owns blending facilities in Kano and Kaduna. It manufactures different NPK grades meeting standards like NAFDAC, SON, and FAO. The company focuses on affordability and product education to better serve Nigerian agriculture.
10. Matrix Fertilizer
Matrix Fertilizer operates a 550,000MT NPK blending facility in Kaduna. It offers top-quality products such as NPK 20-10-10, 15-15-15 and 27-13-13 competitively priced for farmers nationwide. The company plays an important role in food security and rural employment generation.
Key Things to Know about Fertilizers in Nigeria
Types of Fertilizers Commonly Used
The major types of fertilizers used by Nigerian farmers include:
- NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizers – Popular blends like 15-15-15, 20-10-10 etc.
- Urea – An important nitrogen-based fertilizer
- Organic fertilizers – Derived from materials like compost, manure, etc.
- Specialty fertilizers – For high-value crops including calcium nitrate, borax, etc.
Challenges in the Fertilizer Sector
Despite the growth, some challenges persist in the Nigerian fertilizer industry:
- High costs affecting smallholder affordability
- Subsidy bottlenecks disrupting supplies
- Underutilization of organic and integrated soil techniques
- Infrastructure gaps in rural distribution networks
- Low soil testing limiting customized recommendations
Government Support Programs
To promote access, the government runs subsidy programs like:
- Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme
- Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI)
- Fertilizer Supply Chain Improvement (FISCI) Project
- Accelerated Agric Modernization Scheme (AAMS)
FAQs:
Q1. What are the major fertilizer-consuming states in Nigeria?
The states with the highest fertilizer demand are Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers due to their substantial agricultural outputs.
Q2. Which type of fertilizer is best for cereals?
NPK fertilizers containing higher proportions of nitrogen (the first number in NPK grades) work well for nitrogen-hungry cereal crops like maize, rice, wheat, millet, etc. Grades like 15-15-15 or 20-10-10 are suitable.
Q3. What is the current level of fertilizer use in Nigeria compared to requirements?
Nigeria’s annual fertilizer consumption stands at 1.5 million metric tonnes against an estimated national demand of 5-7 million metric tonnes. There is significant scope to ramp up consumption sustainably through appropriate policies.
Q4. Can organic manure alone meet the nutrient needs of intensive commercial farms?
While organic sources provide many benefits, they may not be sufficiently concentrated to solely support high-yielding commercial cultivation without complementary inorganic fertilizers, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus. An integrated approach works best.
Q5. How can smallholder farmers access quality fertilizers amid issues of availability and affordability?
The government is actively promoting programs to improve availability and lower costs through subsidies, community distribution networks, and public-private partnerships with agro-dealers. NGO support is also helping smallholders gain from these schemes.
Conclusion
The Nigerian fertilizer industry has grown substantially but also faces challenges to fully unleash the sector’s potential and support the country’s agriculture-led development aspirations. With continued investments and supportive policy interventions, the top fertilizer companies are well-positioned to further boost farmer access to inputs and help raise yields, incomes, food security, and rural welfare. Greater synergies along the agricultural value chain also hold the key to sustainable and inclusive growth.
