NASC, Stakeholders Validate New Seed Regulations to Reform Nigeria’s Seed Industry

By Deborah Oladapo

The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), in collaboration with key stakeholders, has validated a new set of draft national seed regulations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s seed sector, decentralising certification, and increasing private sector participation.

The validation workshop, held in Abuja, marks a major step toward implementing the National Agricultural Seed Council Act 2019, which empowers the council to engage private operators in certification and quality assurance.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Okelola Folarin Sunday, Registrar of the Plant Variety Protection Office at NASC, said the updated regulations are designed to create a clearer legal and operational framework for the seed industry.

“When you have clear regulations or laws and people know what they need to do and how they have to do it, then you can get the best result,” Okelola said. “We are harmonising our regulations as they affect variety registration, release, and other key components like third-party certification.”

He explained that one of the major reforms under the new framework is the decentralisation of NASC’s functions to allow private entities to handle certain certification roles under close supervision by the council.

“Our eyes will be on the job, but our hands will be off the job,” he added, noting that accredited third-party operators will now take charge of field and laboratory certification while NASC focuses on oversight and policy direction.

Director in the Office of the NASC Director-General, Dahiru Rabiu, described the validation as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s seed industry, saying it would usher in a more efficient, transparent, and competitive system driven by both public and private stakeholders.

Rabiu disclosed that three major draft regulations were under review and validation — the Third Party Certification Regulation 2025, Early Generation Seed Production Regulation 2025, and Crop Variety Release Regulation 2025.

He said the council plans to license private sector players, research institutions, and universities to participate in quality control and certification through three models — the company model, institutional model, and independent third-party model.

“The number of staff we have is too small compared to the growing needs of the industry. By bringing in the private sector, we can ensure wider coverage and better quality assurance across the country,” Rabiu said.

He also noted that Nigeria currently produces only about 30 percent of its national seed demand, with public research institutions supplying most of the breeder and foundation seeds. The reforms, he said, will attract private investment to close that gap and improve food security.

The validation workshop brought together stakeholders across the value chain, including representatives from seed companies, research institutions, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB).

Participants described the development as a timely and necessary step toward building a more sustainable seed system that can boost agricultural productivity and support the federal government’s food security agenda.

Once approved, the new regulations are expected to strengthen quality assurance, attract investment, and expand access to certified seeds for farmers across the country.