I’ve been noticing something interesting lately, and I don’t know if anyone has seen it too. Between the honking cars and towering buildings, there’s a quiet revolution happening on balconies, rooftops, and tiny backyard spaces across Nigerian cities. Urban farming isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s becoming a necessity and, dare I say, a passion for many of us crammed into city life.
Why Urban Farming is Catching On in Nigeria
Because let us tell ourselves the truth: the food prices recently has become scary. As we prepared for the christmas celebrations, I decided to buy some onions for my mum to take home with me. I nearly dropped my phone when the vendor told me the price of a basket of onions. With inflation making grocery shopping feel like luxury shopping, many of us are looking at those empty spaces on our balconies with new eyes.
But it’s not just about saving money. As climate consciousness grows and more Nigerians embrace sustainability, growing your own food feels like a small but meaningful way to reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about eating what you’ve grown—a connection to our agricultural roots that many city dwellers miss.
Also, one of the newest urban farming trends that’s taking off in Lagos and Abuja is microgreens farming. These tiny, nutritional powerhouses can be grown on a windowsill in shallow trays and harvested within 7-14 days. Microgreens are not just space-efficient but also fetch premium prices at farmers’ markets and with health-conscious consumers. Several young entrepreneurs are now making decent side incomes supplying these to restaurants and health food stores.
Community Initiatives: Farming Beyond Individual Spaces
Urban farming in Nigeria isn’t just happening at the individual level. Community gardens are springing up in places like Surulere in Lagos and Asokoro in Abuja. These shared spaces allow apartment dwellers with no balconies or yards to still grow food. The Grow Lagos Initiative, for instance, has transformed three formerly unused plots into thriving community gardens where residents share knowledge, tools, and of course, harvests. There’s something beautiful about seeing bankers, teachers, and market women working side by side, getting their hands dirty on weekend mornings.
Challenges: Let’s Keep It Real
Urban farming in Nigeria isn’t all Instagram-worthy harvests and perfect produce. Our erratic power supply makes automated watering systems challenging. Water access itself can be an issue in many neighborhoods. And then there’s the dust and pollution in our busy cities that can affect plant health.
But Nigerians are nothing if not resourceful. I’ve seen ingenious rainwater harvesting systems made from local materials, community compost initiatives to improve soil quality, and even solar-powered drip irrigation setups that work independently of NEPA’s mood swings.
Getting Started: Your First Steps
If you’re feeling inspired to join this movement, here’s how to begin:
- Start with what you eat regularly: Love pepper in your stew? Start there. Ugu for your soups? That’s your first plant.
- Join online communities: Facebook groups like “Nigerian Urban Farmers” and “Balcony Gardening Nigeria” are goldmines of local knowledge.
- Upcycle before you buy: Before spending money on fancy pots, look around your house for containers that can be repurposed.
- Connect with neighbors: That aunty with the gorgeous plants might be happy to share cuttings and advice.
Have you tried urban farming in your Nigerian city? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below! And if you’re just starting out, drop your questions—our community here is always ready to help fellow green thumbs grow.
Until next time, happy growing!
