Nigeria produces an estimated 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions each year, making the country Africa’s second-largest onion producer after Egypt, according to the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN).
The association’s national president, Alhaji Aliyu Isah, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. He said the annual onion output is valued at approximately ₦1.17 trillion, underscoring the crop’s importance to Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
“Nigeria currently produces about 2.1 million metric tonnes of onions annually, with a value of roughly ₦1.17 trillion,” Isah said, adding that Nigerian onions are exported across West and Central Africa and to select European markets.
He described onion production as a major source of livelihood for rural communities and a significant contributor to national food security. According to him, government interventions—including the provision of improved seeds, fertilisers, and agrochemicals—have helped stabilise production levels and market prices.
Isah said partnerships between the association and relevant ministries and agencies have improved farmer training and access to modern agricultural practices. He added that efforts are ongoing to reduce non-tariff barriers along regional trade corridors to ease the movement of goods.
The association, he noted, is focused on strengthening collaboration among farmers, marketers, processors, and exporters to build a more integrated and efficient onion value chain. Cooperation with customs authorities has also improved cross-border trade and facilitated smoother export processes.
Isah disclosed that NOPPMAN is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to reduce export costs and streamline logistics for processed onion products. He added that collaboration with partners in Ghana, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso has boosted regional trade, while expanded processing facilities remain critical for increasing value addition.
According to him, improved marketing strategies and export promotion are central to the association’s agenda, with the goal of increasing farmer income and national revenue. He encouraged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture, describing onion farming and agribusiness as viable paths to employment and wealth creation.
“Youth participation can drive innovation and productivity in the sector,” he said, noting that agriculture offers opportunities beyond traditional job seeking. Isah cited his own transition into onion farming after graduation as evidence of the sector’s potential.
He added that the association has trained farmers in good agricultural practices, improved access to quality inputs, and supported market access initiatives to help members scale production and boost income. He expressed optimism that Nigeria could soon become Africa’s leading onion producer.
