Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched an emergency program to curb the spread of the invasive tomato pest Tuta absoluta, which can destroy up to 100% of untreated crops and has caused millions of dollars in losses, authorities said.
The initiative, announced on February 12, 2026, aims to protect Nigeria’s tomato sector, one of Africa’s largest, following reports of significant infestations across northern producing states, including Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna. In May 2025, officials estimated that the pest caused more than ₦1.3 billion (US$1.68 million) in losses, driving up market prices for the staple vegetable.
Tuta absoluta, a destructive moth species, feeds on both tomato leaves and fruits. Experts warn that if uncontrolled, the pest can wipe out 80 percent to 100 percent of untreated fields, threatening the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers who rely on tomato production.
The government’s emergency program will raise awareness among farmers, distribute approved phytosanitary inputs, and provide technical support on integrated pest management practices to quickly contain infestations. Officials also plan to promote two newly developed tomato varieties, HORTITOM4 and HORTITOM5, which researchers created in 2025. The varieties are suitable for open-field, greenhouse, and irrigated cultivation and yield 21.7 to 27.2 tons per hectare, offering improved resilience against pests and diseases.
“The tomato is not only widely consumed across the country but also a major source of income for smallholder farmers,” said Agriculture Minister Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi. “Nigeria ranks among Africa’s leading tomato producers, and this crop supports millions of jobs in production, processing, transport, and marketing.”
Nigeria produced 3.73 million tons of tomatoes in 2024 across 824,000 hectares, according to the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS). Output remained broadly flat year-on-year, highlighting the sector’s vulnerability to pest outbreaks and climatic pressures.
NAERLS also reported renewed Tuta absoluta infestations in Kano State in 2024, underscoring the urgency of rapid containment measures. Farmers have historically struggled with the pest due to its fast reproduction and resistance to some traditional control methods.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s emergency program reflects broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s agriculture sector and safeguard food security. By promoting pest-resistant varieties, improving access to inputs, and providing technical support, authorities hope to limit crop losses and stabilize tomato supply for consumers.
Experts warn that if unchecked, Tuta absoluta could undermine Nigeria’s status as a major tomato producer in Africa, reducing income for farmers and increasing reliance on imports. The government’s swift action is seen as crucial to preventing a repeat of the widespread losses experienced in 2025.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest tomato producers, cultivating the crop across approximately 824,000 hectares nationwide. In 2024, the country produced an estimated 3.73 million tons of tomatoes, a figure that has remained broadly stagnant in recent years due to recurring pest infestations, climate variability, and infrastructural challenges. Tomatoes are a staple in Nigerian cuisine and a key source of income for smallholder farmers, supporting livelihoods in production, processing, transport, and marketing.
Despite high domestic production, Nigeria faces significant post-harvest losses, estimated at 40–50% in some regions, often caused by inadequate storage and processing infrastructure. The sector has also been periodically threatened by pests such as Tuta absoluta, a moth that can destroy 80–100% of untreated crops. In May 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated that infestations by this pest caused losses exceeding ₦1.3 billion (approximately US$1.7 million), highlighting the economic vulnerability of the sector.
Nigeria exports a limited portion of its tomato output, with most production consumed domestically or processed into paste, sauces, and other tomato-based products. Various government initiatives aim to modernize tomato farming, including promoting resistant varieties, improving pest management, and enhancing irrigation and post-harvest handling, but challenges remain in boosting productivity and reducing losses.
Overall, tomato farming is central to Nigeria’s agricultural economy, providing employment to millions, supporting food security, and contributing to local and regional markets, yet it remains highly sensitive to climatic, biological, and infrastructural pressures.
