The Director General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed, has revealed that Nigeria is facing a rice seed deficit of 2.9 million metric tonnes.

This, he warned, poses a major threat to national food security and undermines the country’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.

Mohammed made the disclosure yesterday at the opening of the third edition of the NASC Staff Week, organised by the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), NASC branch, at the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.

The event themed “Strengthening Staff Welfare, Productivity, and Unity,” features medical check-ups, sporting activities, and recognition of outstanding staff and seed companies.

The DG lamented that despite government investment in mechanisation and agro-inputs, the foundation of agricultural transformation and quality seeds remains weak.

“This is something the Ministry of Agriculture needs to take seriously and communicate all the way to the President. You’ve seen our labs and how thorough our processes are before releasing any seed. It’s not that we have low-quality seeds in this country; the real issue is the deficit between seed consumption and production. That’s the gap we are trying to close.

“For example, we currently have a deficit of about 2.9 million metric tons of rice seeds. So, the question is: how do we bridge that gap? That’s what we should be focusing on. But if we are truly determined, Nigeria will achieve this. We will get it done, and that’s why I’m here,” he said.

According to him, the NASC’s current budget allocation of just 0.5 percent of the Ministry of Agriculture’s total budget is grossly inadequate given the council’s critical role in food security.

He called for an increase of at least five to 10 percent in subsequent budget cycles.

Mohammad charged the staff of the council to uphold integrity, discipline, and professionalism in their service to the nation, advising that they should see their roles as a sacred responsibility in the country’s pursuit of food security.

According to the DG, the most valuable asset is not the infrastructure, not the systems, nor the legislation that guides the council’s operations, but a dedicated workforce.

This, according to him, is so because every seed or seedling certified, every farm transformed, and every policy implemented effectively is a result of the staff’s hard work, innovation, and sacrifice towards realising the feat of food security in Nigeria.

He said personal accountability would help to build a world-class regulatory agency, stressing the need for a value-based public service, where honesty, neat appearance, and dedication to duty are non-negotiable.

Chairman of NUAAE, NASC Branch, Raheem Rasheed, said the 2025 Staff Week is designed to provide staff with free medical talks, health check-ups, and sports fitness exercises.

According to him, the activities were aimed at promoting cohesion among workers and enhancing their efficiency and productivity for the growth of the council.

While commending the DG for support, he also appealed for improved staff transportation, especially for workers residing along the Kuje and Gwagwalada routes.