The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to conserving Nigeria’s rich plant genetic resources as a strategic approach to achieving national food security, supporting climate adaptation, and preserving biodiversity.
The assurance was given by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Ogunbiyi, during a one-day advocacy workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Use held in Abuja. Ogunbiyi stressed that the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity are essential pillars for the country’s agricultural future.
“Biodiversity and plant genetic resources are crucial aspects of our agricultural heritage and future,” he said. “They are the backbone of our food systems, and their conservation is essential for improving crop production and enhancing the livelihood of farmers across Nigeria.”
He explained that protecting Nigeria’s plant genetics—ranging from seeds, landraces, wild relatives to improved crop varieties—is fundamental for food production, crop improvement, and responding to environmental challenges such as climate change, emerging pests, and diseases.
“This gathering reflects our shared understanding that the future of Nigerian agriculture depends not only on inputs and markets but also on the genetic foundations of the crops we grow,” Ogunbiyi said.
He warned that Nigeria is currently facing a loss in genetic diversity due to climate change, habitat destruction, and genetic erosion, posing serious risks to the nation’s ability to adapt to future challenges in agriculture.
Ogunbiyi identified two major challenges confronting the country’s genetic conservation efforts: inadequate conservation efforts, stemming from limited infrastructure and public awareness, and the ongoing loss of plant biodiversity as a result of climate-related and human-induced factors.
“Conserving and utilizing plant genetic resources effectively can help ensure food availability, access, and utilization, ultimately contributing to food security,” he stated. He also highlighted the economic potential of plant genetic diversity, which supports the development of improved crop varieties and contributes to agricultural productivity and growth.
According to him, Nigeria is blessed with a wide variety of staple crops such as yams, cassava, maize, millet, rice, and sorghum, which are central to both the nation’s diet and cultural traditions. However, without proactive conservation measures, this rich crop heritage is under threat.
The federal government, he added, is addressing the issue by strengthening institutional frameworks, upgrading infrastructure, and scaling up regional field collections to ensure the genetic diversity of crops is preserved across Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones.
Ogunbiyi also emphasized Nigeria’s ongoing partnerships with international bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the African Union (AU), and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to ensure that national conservation strategies align with global best practices.
He further spotlighted the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) as the country’s lead institution in conserving genetic materials for agricultural research, breeding, and development.
“This National Genebank is critical in conserving and making available plant genetic resources for research, breeding, and development,” Ogunbiyi concluded.
With increasing climate risks and growing food demand, stakeholders say the workshop and similar advocacy efforts are timely in pushing for national policy action and public awareness to protect Nigeria’s plant biodiversity for future generations.
