The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has launched the construction of 50 state-of-the-art greenhouses in Abuja, in a move aimed at transforming vegetable production and empowering youths and women under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr. Cornelius Adebayo, disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing project located within the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Agriculture.
According to him, the greenhouse cluster in Abuja is modeled after the one established in Sagamu, Ogun State, and forms part of a nationwide initiative designed to boost food availability, promote climate-smart agriculture, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
Adebayo explained that the project would enable the year-round cultivation of various vegetables under controlled conditions, ensuring steady supply and affordability for consumers.
“This greenhouse is more than just a structure; it’s a sanctuary for plants, where environmental conditions are meticulously controlled to optimise growth year-round,” he said. “Within its transparent walls, a diverse range of crops will flourish, shielded from harsh weather and pests.”
The NALDA boss revealed that the Authority had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Abuja to engage students and graduates of agriculture who will be trained and managed under clearly defined operational standards.
He further noted that the facility comprises several integrated components such as a packing house, cold room, and solar-powered borehole, designed to ensure smooth post-harvest handling, storage, and irrigation efficiency.
Adebayo stated that the Abuja greenhouse cluster would serve the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states, while the Sagamu cluster would cater to Lagos and the Southwest axis.
“The purpose is to make vegetables available and closer to the people,” he added. “Another layer of this initiative is the plan to cultivate a minimum of 10 hectares of open-field vegetables in every federal constituency across the country.”
He described the initiative as a revolutionary step toward sustainable, climate-smart crop production, stressing that NALDA’s long-term goal is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in vegetable production while creating meaningful livelihoods for thousands of young farmers and women.
