In what experts are describing as a major blow to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the federal government has revealed that the country has lost over N1.3 billion due to a severe outbreak of a plant disease commonly known as “tomato ebola” in three states.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed the information during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, May 7, 2025. The minister explained that the destructive disease, formally called Tuta absoluta, has wiped out large tomato farms in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States, crippling production and threatening the livelihood of thousands of farmers.
Outbreak Causes Prices to Skyrocket
Following the outbreak, market prices of tomatoes have surged dramatically. A small basket of tomatoes, which used to sell for between N8,000 and N12,000 in April, is now selling for as high as N45,000 in some markets. This has created panic among both vendors and consumers, especially in urban centres like Lagos and Abuja, where tomatoes are a staple food item.
Many households are already adjusting their meals and recipes to account for the scarcity, replacing fresh tomatoes with tomato paste, dried tomatoes, or even switching to alternative soups.
What is “Tomato Ebola”?
The disease, often nicknamed “tomato ebola” due to its devastating effects, is caused by Tuta absoluta, a moth-like insect native to South America but now widespread in Africa. The pest attacks tomato plants by laying eggs on their leaves and stems. Once the larvae hatch, they bore into the fruit, making them unfit for sale or consumption.
Although the name may cause confusion, “tomato ebola” is not related to the deadly Ebola virus that affects humans. It is purely a plant disease with no effect on human health. However, its impact on food supply and pricing can be severe.
History of the Tomato Crisis in Nigeria
This is not the first time Nigeria is facing a tomato-related crisis. In 2016, a similar outbreak led to the destruction of over 80 percent of tomato farms in Kaduna, forcing the state government to declare a state of emergency. That incident caused a national outcry and prompted the federal government to step up its monitoring and response efforts.
According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Tuta absoluta is a resilient pest that thrives in hot weather and can quickly spread across farms if not detected early. Once it invades a farm, controlling it becomes extremely difficult and expensive.
Farmers Count Their Losses
Several tomato farmers in the affected states have expressed deep frustration over the situation. Speaking to reporters, Malam Ibrahim Garba, a tomato farmer in Danja, Katsina State, said he lost over 80 percent of his yield within two weeks.
“This year has been terrible. I had invested over N2 million into my farm, buying seeds, fertilizer, and paying for labour. When the pest came, everything collapsed. There was nothing we could do,” Garba lamented.
Farmers say the government has not been proactive in providing early warning systems or emergency support to help them contain such outbreaks before they get out of hand.
Minister Promises Swift Intervention
Responding to the growing concerns, Minister Abubakar Kyari assured Nigerians that the federal government was already working with state agricultural agencies, international partners, and researchers to tackle the spread of the pest.
“We have activated our rapid response teams and have dispatched experts to the affected areas. We are also distributing pesticides and setting up monitoring units in collaboration with local governments,” Kyari said.
He added that plans are underway to introduce genetically modified (GMO) tomato varieties that are resistant to Tuta absoluta, though he noted that such a move would be subject to approval by the National Biosafety Management Agency and must pass public scrutiny.
Economic Impact Beyond the Farm
The ripple effect of the outbreak extends far beyond the farms. Tomato processing factories like Erisco Foods and Dangote Tomato Processing Plant in Kano are reportedly operating below capacity due to raw material shortages.
Street food vendors, restaurants, and caterers have also had to revise their menus or raise prices, affecting consumers in every social class. “We can’t even sell jollof rice the way we used to,” said Bose Adekunle, a food vendor in Surulere, Lagos. “People don’t want to pay more, but the tomatoes are too expensive.”
Call for Agricultural Insurance
The crisis has renewed calls for the expansion of agricultural insurance in Nigeria. Currently, only a small percentage of Nigerian farmers have insurance coverage for crop loss due to pests or weather-related disasters.
The Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) said it is working on new packages to make insurance more accessible and affordable, especially for smallholder farmers.
