The National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), in collaboration with key ministries and partners, has reviewed and validated the draft National Seed Regulations to strengthen seed quality, improve food security, and increase private sector participation in Nigeria’s seed industry.
The national stakeholders’ review and validation workshop, held in Abuja on Wednesday, brought together representatives from the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Finance, and Justice, alongside the Agricultural Council Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
The workshop provided a platform for industry players to refine key regulatory frameworks and attract private investment into the nation’s seed sector.
The validation exercise focused on three critical frameworks: the Third-Party Certification Regulation 2025, the Early Generation Seed Production Regulation 2025, and the Crop Variety Release Regulation 2025.
Speaking during the event, Mr Dahiru Rabiu, Director in the Office of the Director General of NASC, described the move as a landmark development that will reshape the seed industry.
He said the updated regulations would enhance seed quality, strengthen certification processes, and boost productivity among farmers.
“Today’s event is a memorable one for the Nigerian seed industry because we are validating a set of regulations that will help operationalise third-party certification,” Rabiu said.
“By involving the private sector in certification, farmers can have better assurance of quality seeds while expanding access to efficient quality assurance processes across the country.”
Rabiu added that the NASC plans to license private companies to handle some certification activities due to limited government manpower.
This shift, he said, will ensure quality assurance and reach across all regions.
Rabiu also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Early Generation Seed (EGS) production, explaining that Nigeria currently meets only 30% of its seed requirement, with about 80% of EGS coming from research institutions.
“We are now licensing more seed companies to produce breeder and foundation seeds, which are the first two classes of seeds,” he noted.
“This will increase availability for commercial seed multiplication and improve access for farmers.”
According to him, the harmonised regulations will increase productivity and achieve food security by promoting reliable seed systems that can respond to the country’s agricultural needs.The Registrar of the Plant Variety Protection Office, Dr Folarin Okelola, noted that harmonising and validating seed laws will bring clarity to the industry, improve compliance, and open new opportunities for private investment.
“When clear regulations exist, people know what to do and how to do it,” he explained.
“We are decentralising some roles of the seed council to ensure better efficiency through third-party certification and increased participation of new actors in early generation seed production.”
He further explained that the proposed regulations will establish internal quality assurance systems for licensed companies, including staff training and regular audits by NASC.
On funding, Okelola stressed the need for collaboration, saying that the government alone cannot sustain the sector.
“The government cannot continue to police a rapidly growing seed industry,” he said.
“We must bring in third-party players, regulate their work, and ensure they meet standards that benefit farmers and the economy.”
Both officials emphasised that the updated seed regulations will not only drive seed quality improvement but also support Nigeria’s climate-smart agriculture goals, enhance youth participation, and promote private-sector-driven innovation in the agricultural value chain.
Source: Authority News
