Fertilizer consumption in Nigeria
Nigeria: Fertilizer consumption was 12.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in Nigeria, 1975–2023
Source: FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of fertilizer production.
Analysis
In 2023, fertilizer consumption in Nigeria stood at 12.5%. That is the lowest value across all 40 years on record.
The figure is down 40.8% on the previous year and down 95.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in Nigeria peaked at 6,178.6% in 1983 and was at its lowest, 12.5%, in 2023.
That places Nigeria 95th out of 106 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fertilizer consumption in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % of fertilizer production | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 5,430.0% | — |
| 1976 | 2,633.3% | -51.5% |
| 1977 | 1,804.9% | -31.5% |
| 1978 | 1,830.8% | +1.4% |
| 1979 | 1,900.0% | +3.8% |
| 1980 | 3,344.2% | +76.0% |
| 1981 | 2,244.2% | -32.9% |
| 1982 | 3,042.9% | +35.6% |
| 1983 | 6,178.6% | +103.1% |
| 1984 | 5,324.0% | -13.8% |
| 1985 | 4,452.0% | -16.4% |
| 1986 | 907.1% | -79.6% |
| 1987 | 182.5% | -79.9% |
| 1988 | 102.9% | -43.6% |
| 1989 | 114.3% | +11.0% |
| 1990 | 122.2% | +7.0% |
| 1991 | 134.7% | +10.2% |
| 1992 | 118.5% | -12.0% |
| 1993 | 139.7% | +17.9% |
| 1994 | 187.7% | +34.4% |
| 1995 | 131.7% | -29.8% |
| 1996 | 140.1% | +6.4% |
| 1997 | 298.1% | +112.7% |
| 1998 | 200.2% | -32.8% |
| 1999 | 239.6% | +19.6% |
| 2009 | 213.5% | -10.9% |
| 2010 | 1,086.5% | +408.9% |
| 2011 | 311.2% | -71.4% |
| 2012 | 171.9% | -44.8% |
| 2013 | 283.9% | +65.2% |
| 2014 | 413.1% | +45.5% |
| 2015 | 221.9% | -46.3% |
| 2016 | 121.3% | -45.3% |
| 2017 | 112.3% | -7.4% |
| 2018 | 94.7% | -15.7% |
| 2019 | 94.7% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 114.8% | +21.2% |
| 2021 | 106.8% | -7.0% |
| 2022 | 21.1% | -80.2% |
| 2023 | 12.5% | -40.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 2,719.8% | 1,804.9% | 5,430.0% | 5 |
| 1980s | 2,589.3% | 102.9% | 6,178.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 171.3% | 118.5% | 298.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 213.5% | 213.5% | 213.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 291.2% | 94.7% | 1,086.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 63.8% | 12.5% | 114.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More agriculture & rural data for Nigeria
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 2.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.2298 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 281.32 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.1218 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3622 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 23.0% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 23.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.4% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.6% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in Nigeria?
- Fertilizer consumption in Nigeria was 12.5% in 2023, according to FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest fertilizer consumption recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 6,178.6% in 1983.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.5% in 2023.
- How does Nigeria rank for fertilizer consumption?
- Nigeria ranks 95th out of 106 countries with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 95.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Fertilizer consumption (% of fertilizer production). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 40 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients and is calculated as production plus imports minus exports. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. Because some chemical compounds used for fertilizers have other industrial applications, the consumption data may overstate the quantity available for crops. Fertilizer consumption as a share of production shows the agriculture sector's vulnerability to import and energy price fluctuation. Most fertilizers that are commonly used in agriculture contain the three basic plant nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Some fertilizers also contain certain micronutrients such as zinc and other metals that are necessary for plant growth. Materials that are applied to the land primarily to enhance soil characteristics (rather than as plant food) are commonly referred to as soil amendments.