The Potential and Productivity of Agriculture in Nigeria

In Nigeria, agriculture plays a vibrant role in supporting the economy, contributing significantly to food security, employment, and national development. However, despite its potential, the sector faces persistent challenges such as low productivity, poor infrastructure, limited access to modern technologies, and weak policy implementation. This study evaluates the production potential and productivity of agriculture in Nigeria by examining how factors of production such as land, labour, capital, and technology are used and how their efficient utilization can improve the sector’s performance. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical approach, using secondary data from reputable sources including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), FAOSTAT, World Bank, and key government policy documents. It explores both theoretical and empirical perspectives of productivity and production potential, while highlighting the roles of historical context, gender, youth participation, and regional distribution of major agricultural products. The study also analyses trends in agricultural productivity, structural constraints, and the effects of environmental and climatic factors. Findings show that while Nigeria has vast agricultural resources, productivity remains suboptimal due to poor resource utilization, climate variability, and limited investment in infrastructure and technology. Nonetheless, opportunities exist through innovative farming practices, policy reforms, youth and women empowerment, and value addition to agricultural products. The study concludes with practical recommendations aimed at boosting productivity, strengthening rural livelihoods, and enhancing the sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth. By addressing existing barriers, Nigeria’s agricultural sector holds strong potential to drive inclusive development and national food security.