The Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc said it facilitated over ₦100 billion in approved credit guarantees for loans and investments across Nigeria’s agriculture and agribusiness value chains.
NIRSAL PLC in a statement said the record was its highest annual performance since inception.
“This milestone, NIRSAL’s highest annual finance facilitated to date, demonstrates the institution’s continued success in de-risking agricultural value chains, improving access to finance for agribusinesses, strengthening lender confidence in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, and deepening financial inclusion.”
In recognition of its impact, NIRSAL was named MSME Agrifinance Enabler of the Year at the 2nd Edition of the MSME Finance & CEO Awards, held in Lagos, South West Nigeria.
The event celebrated institutions driving innovation, resilience, and growth within Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.
Speaking at the ceremony, NIRSAL’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sa’ad Hamidu, said the record performance reflects the effectiveness of structured risk-sharing models and strong collaboration with financial institutions.
“This achievement underscores the power of partnerships and the resilience of Nigeria’s agribusiness entrepreneurs,” Hamidu said.
Represented by Akinola Baiyewu, the Regional Head, South Business Development Group, the MD stressed that NIRSAL’s focus remains on impact rather than accolades.
“We are not chasing awards. Our priority is to attract partners across the agrifinance value chain by demonstrating that agriculture in Nigeria can be a safe, profitable, and sustainable investment,” he said.
NIRSAL’s partnerships with commercial banks and other lenders supported financing across critical segments of the agricultural value chain, including primary production, agro-processing, input supply, commodity export, storage, warehousing, and logistics.
Beyond finance, the institution’s technical assistance programmes—covering field monitoring, project mapping, farmer onboarding, and capacity building—have continued to unlock opportunities for agribusinesses and smallholder farmers alike.
According to NIRSAL, while capital to transform Nigeria’s agriculture sector exists, risk perception has historically limited lending. The ₦100 billion credit guarantee milestone represents a decisive shift from hesitation to confidence.
Banks Scale Up Agro Portfolios
Financial institutions are increasingly relying on NIRSAL’s credit risk guarantees and value-chain risk management tools to scale up their on-balance-sheet agricultural portfolios, optimise capital deployment, and meet both commercial and development objectives.
To date, NIRSAL has executed 41 master agreements with counterparties committed to jointly financing agriculture and agribusiness nationwide, reflecting deeper acceptance of its finance facilitation model.
Strengthening its strategic outlook, NIRSAL has also expanded its role in mobilising alternative finance. As a Delivery Partner to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for climate finance readiness, the institution is implementing nationwide capacity development programmes, positioning Nigeria to attract significant climate finance inflows.
Drawing from lessons learned in past smallholder financing initiatives, NIRSAL has refined its programme management offerings for sub-national governments, private investors, and cooperative-led production clusters. Enhanced protocols now include geo-mapping, soil testing, mechanisation support, and climate-smart production practices to improve productivity and resilience.
As it looks ahead to 2026, NIRSAL reaffirmed its commitment to expanding finance facilitation, supporting climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening the competitiveness of Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem.
“Our journey is far from over—indeed, it is only just beginning.
“We will continue to innovate, deepen partnerships, and scale solutions that unlock finance and reduce risks across Nigeria’s agriculture sector,” Hamidu said.
With momentum building and lender confidence rising, NIRSAL’s record ₦100 billion facilitation in 2025 may well signal a new era for agricultural finance in Nigeria.