NASC_NG Seed Council

What NASC_NG Seed Council does

The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) is Nigeria's statutory regulator for the seed industry, established by Act 72 of 1992 and operating under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its mandate is to regulate the production, marketing, trade, and use of seeds in Nigeria; certify seed quality through field inspection and laboratory testing; coordinate breeder, foundation, and certified seed production; maintain the national seed database; and enforce seed law. NASC also manages seed import/export processes and ensures compliance with ECOWAS harmonized seed regulations, making Nigeria the only West African country capable of moving certified seeds across the region under its certifications.

NASC's service portfolio spans seed certification tags, laboratory testing, company registration and licensing (including Community Based Seed Producers), import/export permits, license renewals, processing and storage facilities, and breeder/foundation seed indent/sales. Underpinning these services is a digital ecosystem comprising the National Seed Tracker (NST) for traceability, SEEDCODEX for electronic verification, NASCODE smart labeling (developed with mPedigree's Goldkeys and supported by AGRA and USAID), E-Registry, NEST, and the Seed Information Management Platform. Together these platforms enable authentication via SMS, smartphone apps with GS1 barcoding, web portals, and an integrated call center.

Revenue is generated through government-set professional service fees on each regulatory transaction, with a publicly disclosed cost-of-services schedule. NASC also relies on development partner funding from AGRA, USAID, IITA, FAO, and others to modernize laboratories toward ISTA standards, support capacity building, and co-develop digital platforms. The council's customers include 157+ accredited seed companies (up from 36 in 2010), thousands of Community Based Seed Producers and licensed seed inspectors, and Nigeria's broader farmer base, served through the Abuja headquarters plus zonal offices in Kano and Ibadan and the annual SeedConnect Africa Conference.

Name

NASC_NG Seed Council

Legal name

National Agricultural Seed Council

Website

https://seedcouncil.gov.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NASC is Nigeria's sole statutory seed industry regulator, certifying, testing, and licensing seed companies, Community Based Seed Producers, and inspectors, and operating digital platforms (SEEDCODEX, National Seed Tracker, NASCODE) for verification and traceability under Act 72 of 1992.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Seed Regulation and Certification Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (926140)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Seed Testing, Certification & Quality Assurance (Germination, Purity, Phytosanitary) (AFABAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seed Quality Testing & Certification Services (AFAGAIAI), Seed Quality Testing & Certification Support (Germination, Purity, Vigor) (AFAOADAK)

Keywords

• Seed certification services
• Agricultural regulation
• Seed quality control
• Seed traceability platform
• Plant variety registration

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheda

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Seed Certification Services: Fees for seed certification tags, quality control certification, and certification of seed production facilities.
2. Seed Testing Services: Laboratory testing fees for seed quality analysis, germination testing, and purity analysis.
3. Seed Company Registration and Licensing: Fees for seed company registration, licensing of Community Based Seed Producers (CBSP), and license renewals.
4. Seed Import/Export Services: Processing fees for seed importation and export applications.
5. Seed Processing and Storage Services: Processing and storage facilities provided to seed companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) is the Nigerian government regulatory agency responsible for seed certification, quality control, licensing and industry development under Act 72 of 1992. It provides seed testing, field inspection, company registration, license issuance and certification tag services, supported by digital platforms including SEEDCODEX, the National Seed Tracker (NST), NASCODE, NEST, and E-Registry for traceability and authentication across the seed value chain.

Product overview

NASC (National Agricultural Seed Council) is Nigeria's primary regulatory agency for the seed industry, established under Act 72 of 1992. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of seed certification and regulatory services, supported by digital platforms including SEEDCODEX (electronic verification system), National Seed Tracker (NST), NASCODE (smart labeling with mPedigree Goldkeys integration), E-Registry, NEST, and Seed Information Management Platform. Core services include seed certification tags, company registration, importation permits, field inspection, laboratory testing, and processing/storage facilities. NASC also publishes official guidelines, the National Seed Policy, and organizes the annual SeedConnect Africa Conference. The digital ecosystem enables traceability, transparency, and verification across the seed value chain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Seed Tracker (NST): Digital seed certification and traceability platform that tracks seed production, certification, and distribution throughout the seed value chain
• NEST
• E-Registry
• SEEDCODEX
• SeedConnect Africa
• NASCODE

Products and services

• SEEDCODEX Electronic verification and authentication system that enables stakeholders to verify the authenticity of certified seeds through digital channels. Used by seed companies, inspectors and stakeholders to confirm certification status across the seed value chain.
• National Seed Tracker (NST) Digital certification platform that tracks seed production from field to market, enabling transparency, traceability and synergy among stakeholders across the seed value chain.
• NASCODE Smart Seed Labeling and Verification System Smart seed labeling and verification system utilizing mPedigree Goldkeys technology for electronic seed certification with scratch card authentication, SMS verification, smartphone apps with GS1 barcoding and web-based verification.
• NEST (National E-Seed Tracking) National electronic platform for seed tracking and certification management used by seed companies and inspectors across Nigeria.
• E-Registry Electronic registry system for seed industry registration and documentation of seed companies and certification records.
• Seed Information Management Platform Platform for managing seed information, market intelligence, Early Generation Seeds data and supply/demand information for quality seeds across the Nigerian seed sector.
• Seed Certification Tags Application Application service for obtaining official seed certification tags from NASC to affix on certified seed lots for traceability and quality assurance.
• Seed Company Registration Registration service for seed companies operating in Nigeria, providing legal accreditation to produce, process and trade seeds.
• Seed Importation Service Application and approval service for importing seeds into Nigeria, ensuring compliance with phytosanitary and quality requirements.
• Seed Inspection Service Field inspection services for seed production to ensure adherence to certification standards across seed production fields.
• Seed Testing Service Laboratory testing services for seed quality including germination testing, purity analysis and moisture content evaluation.
• Seed Processing and Storage Services Processing and storage facilities provided to seed companies for seed conditioning, treatment and preservation.
• Breeder and Foundation Seeds Indent/Sales Service facilitating indent and sales of breeder and foundation seeds to certified seed producers for multiplication into certified seed.
• Seed License Renewal Renewal service for existing seed company and seed inspector licenses to maintain legal operating status.
• License of CBSP (Community Based Seed Producers) Licensing service for Community Based Seed Production operations in rural communities across Nigeria.

Quantifiable outcome

• 157 seed companies accredited as of 2016, up from 36 in 2010
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• mPedigree (Goldkeys)coreTechnology or Integration · 3 May 2019Partnership for development of NASCODE Smart Seed Labeling and Verification System using Goldkeys technology. Enables electronic seed certification with scratch card authentication, SMS and smartphone app verification with GS1 barcoding support.
• IITA (International Institute for Tropical Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on National Seed Tracker development, sensitization and training workshops for seed certification officers and companies. IITA provides technical support for seed system innovations.
• Value SeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in consortium for Early Generation Seeds production project. Working with NASC and Premier Seeds Limited to ensure quality EGS production.
• Premier Seeds LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in consortium for Early Generation Seeds production project. Collaborating with NASC and Value Seeds on quality seed production.
• CORAF/WECARDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest and Central African Council for Research and Development collaboration on seed sector development and National Seed Planning Workshop for quality seed production.
• West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional program partner supporting agricultural productivity through improved seed access.
• West Africa Seed Program (WASP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub-regional program partner for expanding production and supply of improved certified seeds (OPV & Hybrid) in West Africa.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner supporting agricultural development goals including hunger eradication and food security through improved seed systems.
• Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association representing seed companies, working with NASC on certification, quality assurance, and industry advocacy. SEEDAN has produced over 100,000 tonnes of seed.
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under BASICS project for cassava third-party certification training, implementing decentralized seed quality assurance in Nigeria.
• BASICS Project (Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas project coordinated by IITA with support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Focuses on cassava seed system development and third-party certification.
• National Research Institutes (NARIs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with institutes having mandates for Maize, Rice, and Soybean to develop crop descriptors and enhance EGS quality through DUS testing.
• International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational standards body for seed testing. NASC is upgrading laboratories to meet ISTA accreditation standards with AGRA support.
• International Seed Federation (ISF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal seed industry association represented at SeedConnect Africa conferences.
• OECD Seed SchemescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in OECD certification systems for seeds enabling international seed trade and harmonization.
• UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for developing Plant Variety Protection (PVP) law in Nigeria. UPOV provided draft law for domestication and adoption.
• Collaborative Seed Programme (CSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Nigerian and Dutch seed sector stakeholders enhancing performance of Nigerian seed sector through systemic approach addressing key challenges.
• Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition LimitedcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned by NASC with AGRA and USAID support to develop five-year institutional strategic plan for the seed sector.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA): CGIAR research institute partnering with NASC on National Seed Tracker development, training, and BASICS cassava seed system. Plays an enabling role upstream of NASC certification, comparable in the seed system value chain.
• Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA): Continental funder and convener for African seed systems. AGRA funds NASC's laboratory upgrades and strategic planning, and operates parallel seed sector strengthening programs in multiple African countries, making it both a partner and ecosystem peer.

Direct peers

• Ghana National Seed Council / Plant Protection & Regulatory Services Directorate: Ghana's seed regulator operating under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, performing seed certification, variety registration, and quality assurance. Comparable West African peer within the ECOWAS harmonized seed regulatory framework.
• Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS): Kenya's national plant health and seed certification regulator, performing seed testing, variety release, and phytosanitary inspection functions. Highly comparable as an African national seed regulatory authority with similar mandate and digital transformation trajectory.
• Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI): Tanzania's official seed certification body responsible for seed testing, inspection, and certification. Directly comparable mandate in the East African seed regulatory ecosystem, often cited alongside NASC in regional harmonization discussions.

Regional players

• South African Seed Certification Scheme (SANSOR): South Africa's seed industry certification scheme serving as the most mature African seed regulator. Relevant as a regional peer demonstrating a more developed certification ecosystem outside NASC's West African geography.

Others

• mPedigree (Goldkeys): Technology partner whose Goldkeys anti-counterfeiting platform underpins NASC's NASCODE smart labeling system. Comparable as an enabler/supplier of digital authentication infrastructure for African agricultural value chains.

Broad incumbents

• UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties): Intergovernmental organization setting plant variety protection standards. NASC partners with UPOV on Nigeria's PVP law, making it a relevant peer for the variety release and protection function.
• International Seed Testing Association (ISTA): Global standards body for seed testing whose accreditation NASC is upgrading its labs toward. ISTA sets the methodological and accreditation framework that NASC and other national regulators align with.
• OECD Seed Schemes: International certification schemes for seed trade among participating countries. NASC participates in OECD schemes to enable international seed trade, making OECD a relevant umbrella peer for cross-border certification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nasc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nasc-ng

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NASC_NG Seed Council