The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) has sounded a strong alarm over the country's massive and unsustainable dependence on imported wheat, a situation it says is crippling the baking industry and threatening national food security.
Massive Wheat Deficit and National Insecurity
Speaking at the association's 2025 Day-Out Exhibition and Master Class in Lagos, PBAN President, Emmanuel Onuorah, disclosed startling figures. He revealed that Nigeria consumes approximately 5.1 million metric tonnes of wheat every year. However, local production is critically low, meeting only about 300,000 metric tonnes of this demand.
This creates a huge supply gap, forcing the nation to import a staggering 4.8 million metric tonnes annually. Onuorah identified rampant insecurity as the primary factor destroying domestic wheat production. He pointed to banditry, kidnappings, and direct attacks on farmlands, which have collectively crippled agricultural activities and pushed Nigeria deeper into foreign dependency.
Economic Strain Forces Widespread Bakery Closures
The crisis extends beyond the farms and into the bakeries themselves. Onuorah revealed a devastating trend in the sector. The harsh operating environment has compelled more than 40 per cent of bakeries across Nigeria to shut down between the post-COVID-19 period and 2025.
This has led to a dramatic drop in the association's membership. PBAN's registered bakeries have plummeted from over 100,000 to fewer than 60,000. Business owners are buckling under the weight of multiple challenges, including exorbitant energy costs, multiple taxation, double-digit interest rates on loans, and poor road networks that jeopardize the distribution of goods.
Government Intervention and Industry Adaptation
Despite the grim outlook, the association acknowledged some positive steps from the government. Onuorah commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention, specifically the removal of the 15 per cent wheat import duty and the elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on wheat and grains. These measures, he stated, have played a role in stabilizing bread prices after two years of extreme volatility.
Meanwhile, the industry is fighting back through skill development. Adijatu Olopade, the Chairperson of the event's Planning Committee, explained that the 2025 exhibition was designed to strengthen bakers' skills and improve profitability during the economic downturn. The master class aimed to train both members and non-members on boosting productivity and transforming their businesses into sustainable, profit-making ventures amidst a challenging economy.
