About Nigeria Millet Initiative

Our story, mission and the values that drive us every day.

Our Story

Born to Combat Hidden Hunger

The Nigeria Millet Initiative (NMI) was founded with a powerful mission: to transform Nigeria's food and nutrition landscape through the promotion of naturally bio-fortified millet varieties.

Established to address fundamental issues of food security and nutrition, NMI contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1, 2 & 3) — with a focus on global food security and malnutrition, what we call "hidden hunger." We believe millet — a crop grown in Nigeria for thousands of years — holds the key to nourishing a generation.

Meet Our Excos Get In Touch
Farmers in Nigeria
Millet grain
The Crop

What is Pearl Millet?

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is one of the world's oldest and most important cereal crops — and one of Nigeria's most underutilised nutritional treasures.

Millet growing in field
Drought Tolerant

Grows with minimal water — ideal for Northern Nigeria's dry climate

Zinc & Iron Rich

Bio-fortified varieties contain 2-3x more zinc and iron than regular grain

High Protein

Contains 11-13% protein — comparable to wheat and superior to sorghum

Climate Resilient

Adapts to changing rainfall patterns better than maize or wheat

Smallholder Friendly

Low-cost cultivation that fits the reality of Nigeria's smallholder farmers

Growing Market

Rising demand in food processing, health foods and commercial sectors

What We Stand For

Mission, Vision & Core Values

Our Mission

To address food security, climate resilience, and hidden hunger — a major issue due to large numbers of malnourished children — as part of SDG 1, 2 & 3.

We prioritise major and minor millet varieties rich in zinc and iron to address malnutrition and provide nutritious food through public distribution and government-sponsored schemes.

Community nutrition

Our Vision

A Nigeria — and an Africa — where no child suffers from malnutrition, where farmers thrive through resilient crops, and where millet is recognised as a cornerstone of food security.

We envision millet powering Nigeria's food systems for sustainable agriculture for generations to come.

Children and nutrition

Core Values

  • ✦Integrity — Transparent and accountable in all we do
  • ✦Innovation — Adopting science-backed bio-fortified solutions
  • ✦Inclusivity — Empowering every farmer and community
  • ✦Impact — Measuring success in communities nourished
Community impact
Nigerian millet farmland

Millet Has Fed Northern Nigeria for Thousands of Years

NMI is reviving, strengthening and scaling this ancient crop with modern bio-fortification science.

The NMI Agenda

Why Bio-Fortified Pearl Millet?

NMI's agenda is to adopt naturally developed bio-fortified pearl millet varieties which are superior in productivity, adaptability and nutritional content.

These naturally enhanced varieties make millet not just a staple crop, but a nutritional powerhouse capable of addressing the hidden hunger crisis affecting millions of Nigerians. With more zinc and iron than conventional grain, bio-fortified millet directly targets micronutrient deficiency — without any artificial enrichment.

See Our Programmes
Millet harvest Nigeria
Bio-Fortified Pearl Millet Harvest

Rich in protein, zinc and iron — fighting hidden hunger at scale

Farmer

Smallholder farmers benefit most

Food

Diverse millet-based food products

Our Partners

A Global Network for Local Impact

NMI's partnerships span Asia and the Middle East, bringing world-class millet science and resources to Nigerian farmers and communities.

India Millet Initiative
One Life Foundation India
Green Aura UAE
Gleo International UAE
Meet Our Executive Committee