By Abubakar Dan Ali
Agriculture remains the backbone of Sokoto State’s economy, sustaining the livelihoods of a significant proportion of its estimated 7 million people and contributing immensely to Nigeria’s food security. Among Sokoto State’s most important agricultural commodities is the onion—a widely consumed spice for which the state has earned a well-deserved reputation as Nigeria’s leading production hub. Its vast onion farms not only supply markets across Nigeria but also feed thriving cross-border trade with countries across the West African sub-region, including Niger, Benin, Ghana, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. This extensive value chain supports thousands of farmers, transporters, merchants, wholesalers and processors, sustains countless households, earns valuable income for rural communities and reinforces Sokoto State’s strategic position as one of West Africa’s leading centres for onion production and trade.
The scale of Sokoto State’s dominance in onion production is reflected in industry data. According to the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), Nigeria produced about 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions in 2025, of which Sokoto State accounted for approximately 840,000 metric tonnes—about 40 per cent of the national output. This extraordinary contribution not only reinforces Sokoto’s position as Nigeria’s foremost onion-producing state but also highlights the crop’s strategic importance to food security and economic stability. Across the world, onions are regarded as an essential household commodity, and shortages have triggered inflationary pressures and even public unrest in countries such as India, underscoring the critical role of sustained production.
Two years ago, Nigeria witnessed an unprecedented surge in onion prices due to insecurity, and climate-related challenges which disrupted farming activities across major producing areas. The scarcity became so acute that onions were humorously said to have been sold in carats, like precious metals. Today, however, supplies have improved significantly, the markets are once again well stocked and prices have largely stabilized, owing in part to the improved security situation in Sokoto State under the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. The government’s sustained support for security operations—including the recent donation of Buffalo vehicles and other operational equipment to security agencies—has strengthened the fight against banditry and created a more conducive environment for agricultural production.
Beyond the gains in security, many observers attribute the resurgence in onion production to the deliberate agricultural policies and strategic interventions of the Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration. Recognising agriculture as the bedrock of Sokoto State’s economy, the Governor has made the sector a central pillar of his 9-Point Smart Agenda, implementing initiatives aimed at boosting productivity, improving farmers’ livelihoods and strengthening the state’s position as Nigeria’s leading agricultural hub.
Sokoto State possesses enormous natural advantages for onion cultivation: vast arable land, a favorable climate, abundant sunshine, and a long farming tradition. Because onions are consumed daily in homes, restaurants, and food-processing industries nationwide, any disruption in Sokoto State’s harvest quickly translates into higher prices across Nigeria and the region. Recognizing this strategic leverage, Governor Aliyu’s administration has placed renewed emphasis on increasing agricultural productivity while strengthening the entire onion value chain.
The administration’s strategy has focused on addressing long-standing bottlenecks in the agricultural cycle, from seedlings to market. One of the administration’s earliest priorities was improving farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs. Following free distributions of fertilizers and agro-chemicals in 2023 and 2024, the government procured 38,000 bags of fertilizer worth approximately ₦1.87 billion for subsidized sale in 2025. Additionally, improved seeds, herbicides, and insecticides valued at over ₦96 million were distributed to support smallholder farmers. To ensure that these inputs yield maximum results, agricultural extension workers were deployed which has enabled local farmers to adopt modern techniques in seed selection, efficient fertilizer application, pest management, and harvesting methods.
Recognising that dry-season farming is indispensable to sustained onion cultivation, the Ahmad Aliyu administration has made strategic investments in irrigation and agricultural mechanisation. Rehabilitation of the Lugu Dam and the renovation of the Kware Irrigation Scheme are underway to guarantee a more reliable water supply for all-season farming. To further modernise agriculture and reduce dependence on labour-intensive traditional practices, the state government also acquired 250 Massey Ferguson tractors at N22.1 billion for distribution to the farmers. This investment is expected to expand the area under cultivation, improve productivity, lower production costs and enhance the income of the farmers across the state.
For decades, a lack of specialized storage had forced onion farmers to sell their entire harvest immediately, often at give away prices during peak supply periods. To protect farmers’ profit margins, the Sokoto State Government entered into a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to establish a modern onion cold storage facility. This facility is designed to preserve crop quality, minimize post-harvest waste, and empower farmers to hold their produce until market conditions become financially more favorable.
Beyond direct farming inputs, the Aliyu administration has addressed the broader ecosystem required to sustain agricultural growth. Insecurity has in the last few years prevented many farmers from accessing their lands. Through closer collaboration with state security agencies and community-led initiatives, a safer environment has been established, giving farmers the confidence to return to their fields and expand cultivation.
Furthermore, the administration’s massive investment in rural infrastructure has strengthened the agricultural value chain by improving connectivity between farming communities and major markets. The construction and rehabilitation of critical rural roads have made it easier for the farmers to transport their produce quickly and at lower cost, reducing post-harvest losses, vehicle operating expenses and delays that use to be associated with poor road networks. The installation of solar-powered streetlights in rural and urban communities has also enhanced security and extended commercial activities beyond daylight hours. In addition, by partnering with financial institutions, the government is expanding access to credit for young farmers and smallholder producers, enabling them to invest in improved seeds, modern equipment and other productivity-enhancing technologies that stimulate economic growth and create employment across the state.
The ongoing reforms in land administration are also beginning to yield significant dividends for agriculture and investment in Sokoto State. By modernising land records, fast tracking the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C f O) and the improved efficiency and transparency of land administration, the Ahmed Aliyu administration has made it easier for farmers, agribusinesses and investors to secure land titles for their land. Clearer land ownership has not only reduced disputes but has also enabled landholders to use their titles as collateral to access credit, thereby encouraging greater investment in commercial agriculture and unlocking the state’s vast agricultural potential.
The collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) extends far beyond the development of storage infrastructure. It is also designed to formalise and modernise an onion trade that has flourished for decades across Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region, making it more organised, efficient and globally competitive. The partnership aims to attract long-term investment, improve quality standards, strengthen value addition and expand access to more regional and international export markets. Ultimately, the vision is to transform the onion industry from a largely informal commodity trade into a fully integrated, modern agricultural value chain capable of generating greater wealth, employment and foreign exchange earnings for Sokoto State and Nigeria.
For Nigeria, the benefits extend well beyond increased agricultural output. A modern, export-oriented onion industry has the potential to earn valuable foreign exchange, reduce post-harvest losses, create thousands of jobs across the value chain and strengthen the country’s non-oil export base. As demand for quality agricultural produce continues to grow across West Africa and other international markets, Sokoto State is well positioned to become a major source of export earnings while contributing to economic diversification and improved national food security.
The impact of these structured interventions is becoming visible. While broader economic factors like inflation and nationwide transportation costs continue to influence retail prices, the increased production volume from Sokoto State has undeniably eased supply pressures across Nigeria. The experience of Sokoto State demonstrates that focused, consistent agricultural policies can produce measurable results. By simultaneously addressing inputs, irrigation, mechanization, security, and post-harvest storage, the state has created an environment where farmers can make good income from farming.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the twin challenges of food security and economic diversification, the reforms unfolding in Sokoto State offer an instructive model for the rest of the country. Governor Aliyu’s approach demonstrates that sustained investment in agriculture, complemented by improved security, modern infrastructure, mechanisation, irrigation, land reforms and strategic public-private partnerships, can unlock the immense potential of the sector. By empowering smallholder farmers, strengthening agricultural value chains and creating an enabling environment for agribusiness, the administration is laying the foundation for increased productivity, higher incomes for the farmers, enhanced food security and greater non-oil export earnings. If sustained, this template could serve as a blueprint for transforming agriculture into a powerful engine of inclusive growth and national prosperity.