Urban farming is gaining momentum in Nigeria as a means to address food security, population growth, and land scarcity. The combination of rapid urbanisation, climate stress on traditional agriculture and rising food imports means fresh produce in cities often comes at a high cost.
Among various innovative approaches, hydroponics stands out as a promising solution, enabling cultivation in urban settings where arable land is limited. By bringing production closer to consumption, hydroponic systems provide a means to alleviate food insecurity while utilising urban spaces. This guide educates readers about hydroponics, highlighting its potential to transform urban agriculture in Nigeria by providing insights into its systems, benefits, and challenges.
Hydroponics involves the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. This technique for growing plants can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite.
Hydroponics is the practice of cultivating plants without soil, dating back to 600 BC. Historical accounts trace its origins to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, an ancient marvel of engineering where terraced gardens were said to be irrigated by water drawn from the Euphrates River and channelled through cascades to nourish plants without soil.
Scientific inquiry into soilless cultivation began in 1699 with experiments conducted by the English scientist John Woodward, who demonstrated that plants could thrive in water enriched with mineral nutrients. This discovery marked the first formal study of water-culture systems.
German botanist Julius von Sachs in 1860 discovered that plants could absorb essential nutrients directly from water-based solutions, laying the foundation for modern plant nutrition science.
The 20th century marked the practical application of hydroponics. In the 1920s and 1930s, Dr William F. Gericke of the University of California coined the term hydroponics and successfully cultivated large tomato vines in nutrient solutions without soil, proving that soilless farming could be scaled.
What began as an ancient experiment is now a means of sustainable agriculture worldwide, offering potential for Nigeria’s urban food systems, where land scarcity, food security, and environmental sustainability are key national priorities.
Nigeria faces significant challenges that hinder traditional farming methods in urban areas. A recent study in Nigeria found that hydroponic plants can grow “up to 50 per cent faster than soil-based plants when grown under the same conditions” and use “90 per cent less water”. Another market outlook projection suggests that Nigerian hydroponic systems could experience strong growth between 2021 and 2039, offering up to 90% water savings and higher yields per area.
Several trends make hydroponics a necessary option for Nigeria:
Hydroponics provides solutions that enable urban farmers to cultivate fresh vegetables and herbs in compact spaces. The technology’s scalability makes it suitable for both small-scale backyard farmers and commercial urban farms, fostering local food supply chains and creating employment opportunities.
Hydroponics is not a single technology, but a family of soilless cultivation systems. Each system varies in design and complexity, but they all share the same goal: efficient, controlled food production that is independent of land. Several hydroponic systems are in use in Nigeria, each suitable for different scales and crops.
1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): The Nutrient Film Technique is among the most popular hydroponic systems used by commercial farms and agritech innovators in Nigeria. It works by circulating a thin film of nutrient-rich water continuously over plant roots housed in sloped channels or pipes. The roots absorb nutrients directly from this flowing stream while remaining partially exposed to air for oxygen.
2. Deep Water Culture (DWC): In Deep Water Culture, plants are suspended in a nutrient solution with their roots submerged in oxygenated water. Air pumps supply oxygen, preventing root rot and promoting rapid growth, making them ideal for fast-growing vegetables and herbs.
3. Wick System: The wick system is the simplest form of hydroponics, often used for educational or demonstration purposes. It works without pumps or electricity; instead, it utilises a passive method using wicks to deliver nutrients to plants, making it suitable for beginners and small-scale use.
4. Drip Irrigation Hydroponics: The drip system is a hybrid hydroponic method where nutrient solution is delivered slowly and precisely to the root zone through small emitters or drip lines. It is handy for fruiting crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries.
Nigerian initiatives are already demonstrating hydroponics in practice. An obvious example is Soilless Farm Lab, founded by Samson Ogbole. They grow their crops without soil because they believe food supply shouldn’t be seasonal, after all, hunger is not seasonal. Bic Farms Concepts is another source of hydroponics in Nigeria. They note that hydroponics has the potential to provide fresh, local food for areas with extreme droughts and low soil quality, such as in sub-Saharan nations.
Other Nigerian farms, such as Farm Hydroponics Nigeria, utilise these systems to grow vegetables efficiently in greenhouse settings, thereby supporting urban markets.
Hydroponics can significantly impact Nigeria’s food system:
Despite its promise, widespread adoption faces hurdles:
For beginners interested in hydroponics, here are some start-up tips:
On the policy and investment front, Nigeria has initiatives to strengthen agriculture; however, urban hydroponics remains an emerging niche that has yet to develop fully. The fact that Nigeria still imports billions of dollars’ worth of food highlights the opportunity. In April 2025, the African Development Bank announced the mobilisation of US$2.2 billion to support agriculture in Nigeria, including investments in processing zones and value chains.
Yet, hydroponics specifically needs targeted policy support through:
Evidence suggests that hydroponics can be economically viable in Nigeria. A case study on commercial-scale hydroponics found positive Net Present Value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) for both small- and medium-scale operations.
A well-designed hydroponic system, strategically located, well-operated, and effectively marketed, can harness urban demand and increase food production, emerging as a key component of Nigeria’s sustainable agricultural future. Hydroponics is a high-tech, strategic option for Nigeria’s sustainable urban food future.
Stakeholders across government, industry, and communities must collaborate to overcome challenges, invest in capacity building, and scale this innovative farming approach.
