The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has unveiled a groundbreaking greenhouse farming initiative across Nigeria, aiming to transform vegetable production, empower young agripreneurs, and bolster women farmers nationwide.
During an inspection of the greenhouse complex at the University of Abuja, Cornelius Adebayo, NALDA’s executive secretary, disclosed that this project, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeks to lessen Nigeria’s dependence on seasonal vegetable farming and improve supply chain efficiency.
“Our greenhouse initiative is divided into three stages to tackle the challenge of seasonal vegetable shortages,” Adebayo stated. “With the President’s endorsement, we are rolling out cutting-edge mega greenhouses nationwide to ensure a consistent food supply throughout the year.”
The scheme involves constructing three sophisticated, climate-regulated greenhouses in strategic locations, alongside net-house greenhouses in Abuja and Ogun State. “In Giri, Abuja, we have established 20 greenhouse units with an accompanying nursery, while Shagamu in Ogun State hosts 30 units plus a nursery,” he added. “Each site is outfitted with packing stations, cold storage facilities, and solar energy systems to promote sustainable operations.”
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Adebayo emphasized that these greenhouse centers are deliberately located near major consumer hubs to cut down transportation costs and reduce post-harvest spoilage. “Our facilities serve key metropolitan areas such as Abuja and Lagos,” he noted. “We are also supporting existing greenhouse farmers in Shagamu and Epe to expand their production capacity.”
As part of the youth empowerment framework, young agripreneurs will be entrusted with managing the greenhouses, each responsible for two net houses as independent operators under NALDA’s mentorship. “This model not only increases food output but also generates valuable employment for young people,” Adebayo explained.
The women’s empowerment component targets open-field vegetable cultivation across all federal constituencies, aiming to develop at least 10 hectares per constituency. “Our goal is to involve 100 women in each area to grow crops such as peppers, tomatoes, and leafy greens,” he revealed.
Preparations including land clearing and irrigation installation are already in progress at pilot sites in Cross River, Taraba, Plateau, and Gombe States. The Abuja greenhouse complex is slated to be fully functional by December 2025, with other locations coming online in early 2026.
Highlighting safety, Adebayo assured that greenhouse farming under this program is completely organic and safe, providing optimal conditions for plant growth without the use of harmful chemicals.
He clarified that this initiative is not a loan program but a government-backed empowerment scheme designed to remove infrastructural barriers that smallholder farmers often encounter. “NALDA’s objective is to provide the essential infrastructure so farmers can operate independently and successfully,” he said.
Currently, 10 young farmers are preparing to manage the initial 20 greenhouses in Abuja, with plans to increase to 50 units across Abuja and Shagamu. Adebayo also urged state governments and local communities to allocate more land to support the project’s expansion.
Discussing the economic advantages, he explained that clustering greenhouse production will help stabilize vegetable prices through coordinated cultivation and marketing efforts. “By organizing farmers into clusters, we can maintain price stability naturally, without resorting to artificial controls,” he noted.
In closing, Adebayo stressed that this initiative aligns with NALDA’s broader mission to decentralize food production, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote urban agriculture near major cities. “As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria must guarantee continuous vegetable production year-round. This project ensures fresh, affordable produce is always within reach,” he affirmed.
The NALDA Greenhouse Project will focus on cultivating tomatoes, peppers, avocados, and other vegetables, while also offering training programs for aspiring young farmers in partnership with universities and agricultural institutions.