Nigeria

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 10.4 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 382 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.508 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 605 kt (2023) +287%

Value 605 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +287.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 13.7 kg/ha (2023) +138%

Value 13.7 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +137.8%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 17.4 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0.1 kg/person (2023) +900%

Value 0.1 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1961 +900.0%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 724 t (2020) —

Value 724 t (2020)

Change since 2002 —

Definition (source: OECD): From the online data portal FAOSTAT maintained by the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) : 'Nutrient nitrogen' is defined as total nitrogen (N) from all fertilizer products. The 'Fertilizers by Nutrient' domain contains information on agricultural use, production, and trade of chemical and mineral fertilizers, in tonnes of nutrient, for the three main plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) and potassium (expressed as K2O). The main data source for production and agricultural use is the FAOSTAT Fertilizers questionnaire, complemented with national publications when available. Agricultural use of fertilizers refers to the use for crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, excluding use for animal feed. Industrial uses are excluded, to the extent allowed by data availability. Tonnes of nutrient nitrogen are calculated using conversion factors applied to volumes of nitrogenous fertilizers. For more information, please see: http://fenixservices.fao.org/faostat/static/documents/RFN/RFN_EN_README.pdf

Citation: OECD (2024). "Nutrient nitrogen production," Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD): Table 23 - Ecological sustainability, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/vis?lc=en&tm=nitrogen&pg=0&snb=15&df[ds]=dsDisseminateFinalDMZ&df[id]=DSD_AFDD_STAT_ANNEX%40DF_TAB23&df[ag]=OECD.DEV.EMEA&df[vs]=1.0&dq=......A&pd=,&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&vw=ov

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2002 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 4.24 kg/ha (2023) +7099%

Value 4.24 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +7098.9%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 726 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 19.7 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 1.99 kg/ha (2023) +19800%

Value 1.99 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +19800.0%

Total N fertilizer production 1.25 Mt (2023) +4428%

Value 1.25 Mt (2023)

Change since 1986 +4427.9%

N fertilizer imports 59.1 kt (2023) +15833%

Value 59.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +15833.2%

N fertilizer exports 1.4 Mt (2023) +2694%

Value 1.4 Mt (2023)

Change since 1987 +2693.7%

N fertilizer use per capita 1.03 kg/ person (2023) +10200%

Value 1.03 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 +10200.0%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 235 kt (2023) +63167%

Value 235 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +63167.4%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 5.21 kg/ha (2023) +52000%

Value 5.21 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +52000.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 7.61 kg/ha (2023) +53482%

Value 7.61 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +53482.4%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 217 kt (2023) +974%

Value 217 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +973.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 4.91 kg/ha (2023) +560%

Value 4.91 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +559.9%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 3.52 g per $ (2023) +8700%

Value 3.52 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +8700.0%

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 436 t (2020) +313%

Value 436 t (2020)

Change since 2000 +313.3%

Definition (source: OECD): From the online data portal FAOSTAT maintained by the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) : 'Nutrient nitrogen' is defined as total nitrogen (N) from all fertilizer products. The 'Fertilizers by Nutrient' domain contains information on agricultural use, production, and trade of chemical and mineral fertilizers, in tonnes of nutrient, for the three main plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) and potassium (expressed as K2O). The main data source for production and agricultural use is the FAOSTAT Fertilizers questionnaire, complemented with national publications when available. Agricultural use of fertilizers refers to the use for crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, excluding use for animal feed. Industrial uses are excluded, to the extent allowed by data availability. Tonnes of nutrient nitrogen are calculated using conversion factors applied to volumes of nitrogenous fertilizers. For more information, please see: https://fenixservices.fao.org/faostat/static/documents/RFN/RFN_EN_README.pdf

Citation: OECD (2024). "Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen," Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD): Table 23 - Ecological sustainability, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/vis?lc=en&tm=nitrogen&pg=0&snb=15&df[ds]=dsDisseminateFinalDMZ&df[id]=DSD_AFDD_STAT_ANNEX%40DF_TAB23&df[ag]=OECD.DEV.EMEA&df[vs]=1.0&dq=......A&pd=,&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&vw=ov

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) 32.8 t (2024) -99%

Value 32.8 t (2024)

Change since 2009 -99.4%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 107 k$ (2024) -97%

Value 107 k$ (2024)

Change since 2009 -97.0%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 59 t (2024) -83%

Value 59 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -83.1%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 80.3 k$ (2024) -73%

Value 80.3 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -73.0%

Agricultural use of ammonium nitrate 2.44 kt (2003) -14%

Value 2.44 kt (2003)

Change since 2002 -14.5%

Export of ammonium nitrate single year 301 t (2011) —

Export value of ammonium nitrate single year 249 k$ (2011) —

Import of ammonium nitrate 22.4 kt (2024) +685%

Value 22.4 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +684.7%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 12.9 M$ (2024) +1297%

Value 12.9 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1296.6%

Agricultural use of ammonium sulphate 27 t (2011) -99%

Value 27 t (2011)

Change since 2002 -99.4%

Export of ammonium sulphate 40 kt (2021) +10106%

Value 40 kt (2021)

Change since 2007 +10105.9%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 35.2 M$ (2021) +99553%

Value 35.2 M$ (2021)

Change since 2007 +99553.2%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 389 kt (2024) +8171%

Value 389 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +8171.3%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 102 M$ (2024) +4281%

Value 102 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +4281.0%

Agricultural use of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 16 t (2011) -84%

Value 16 t (2011)

Change since 2002 -84.5%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 0.02 t (2024) -100%

Value 0.02 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -100.0%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 380 $ (2024) -98%

Value 380 $ (2024)

Change since 2002 -98.4%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 337 kt N (2023) +87190%

Value 337 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +87189.8%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 100 t (2024) +1679%

Value 100 t (2024)

Change since 2010 +1679.4%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 31.3 k$ (2024) +23962%

Value 31.3 k$ (2024)

Change since 2010 +23961.5%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 128 t (2024) -98%

Value 128 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -98.0%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 268 k$ (2024) +99%

Value 268 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +99.0%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 178 kt (2011) +83%

Value 178 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +82.7%

Export of NPK fertilizers single year 200 t (2023) —

Export value of NPK fertilizers single year 200 k$ (2023) —

Import of NPK fertilizers 264 t (2024) -100%

Value 264 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -99.7%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 355 k$ (2024) -99%

Value 355 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -98.9%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 30 t (2024) +567%

Value 30 t (2024)

Change since 2003 +566.7%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 27.8 k$ (2024) +234%

Value 27.8 k$ (2024)

Change since 2003 +233.7%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 1.27 kt (2024) -77%

Value 1.27 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -76.7%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 737 k$ (2024) -90%

Value 737 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -90.0%

Agriculture use of urea 243 kt (2011) -16%

Value 243 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 -15.8%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 142 k$ (2022) +39%

Value 142 k$ (2022)

Change since 2009 +39.5%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 34.2 t (2022) -86%

Value 34.2 t (2022)

Change since 2009 -85.8%

Export of urea 3.08 Mt (2024) +4364220%

Value 3.08 Mt (2024)

Change since 2006 +4364220.3%

Export value of urea 850 M$ (2024) +72756%

Value 850 M$ (2024)

Change since 2006 +72755.7%

Import of urea 4.88 kt (2022) -98%

Value 4.88 kt (2022)

Change since 2002 -98.3%

Import value of urea 2.88 M$ (2022) -93%

Value 2.88 M$ (2022)

Change since 2002 -92.7%

Production of urea 1.42 Mt (2017) +1942%

Value 1.42 Mt (2017)

Change since 2010 +1941.8%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 91.5 kt (2023) +1381%

Value 91.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1381.1%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 295 kt (2023) +211%

Value 295 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +211.0%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 6.68 kg/ha (2023) +91%

Value 6.68 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +91.1%

N lost from croplands through leaching 52,203 kg/ha and ton (2023) +1179%

Value 52,203 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +1179.4%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 1.18 kg/ha (2023) +686%

Value 1.18 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +686.4%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 2.07 kg/ha (2023) +810%

Value 2.07 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +810.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 1.45 Mt (2023) +344%

Value 1.45 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +343.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 528 kt (2023) +385%

Value 528 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +384.6%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 32.8 kg/ha (2023) +173%

Value 32.8 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +172.8%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 11.9 kg/ha (2023) +198%

Value 11.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +197.8%

Nitrogen use efficiency 100 % (2014) -25%

Value 100 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -25.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 22.9 Mt CO₂e (2024) +317%

Value 22.9 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +317.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 27,440 Gt CO₂e (2023) +91%

Value 27,440 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +90.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 120 t CO₂e/person (2023) -19%

Value 120 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -18.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 1.67 t (2023) +657%

Value 1.67 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +656.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.302 t (2023) -43%

Value 0.302 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -42.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.127 t (2023) +12610%

Value 0.127 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +12610.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 2.44 t (2023) +3902%

Value 2.44 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +3901.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 1.62 t (2023) +37%

Value 1.62 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +37.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.407 t (2023) +969%

Value 0.407 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +968.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0117 t (2023) +234%

Value 0.0117 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +234.3%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.399 t (2023) +314%

Value 0.399 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +314.3%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for sugar cane 0.0039 t (2023) +1200%

Value 0.0039 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1200.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.174 t (2023) +2946%

Value 0.174 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2945.6%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0009 t (2023) +200%

Value 0.0009 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +200.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.376 t (2023) +657%

Value 0.376 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +657.3%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0679 t (2023) -43%

Value 0.0679 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -42.8%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0286 t (2023) +14200%

Value 0.0286 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +14200.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.548 t (2023) +3902%

Value 0.548 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +3902.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.365 t (2023) +37%

Value 0.365 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +37.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0916 t (2023) +965%

Value 0.0916 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +965.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0026 t (2023) +225%

Value 0.0026 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +225.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 2.05 kt (2023) +657%

Value 2.05 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +657.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 370 t (2023) -43%

Value 370 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -42.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 156 t (2023) +12875%

Value 156 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +12875.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 2.99 kt (2023) +3902%

Value 2.99 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +3901.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 1.99 kt (2023) +37%

Value 1.99 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +37.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 499 t (2023) +970%

Value 499 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +970.4%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 14.4 t (2023) +235%

Value 14.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +234.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 98 kt (2023) +36%

Value 98 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +35.6%

N content from crop residues, for maize 106 kt (2023) +657%

Value 106 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +656.9%

N content from crop residues, for millet 19.2 kt (2023) -43%

Value 19.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -42.9%

N content from crop residues, for oats 19.2 kt (2023) -43%

Value 19.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -42.9%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 8.09 kt (2023) +13236%

Value 8.09 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +13235.8%

N content from crop residues, for rice 155 kt (2023) +3901%

Value 155 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +3901.1%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 103 kt (2023) +37%

Value 103 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +37.0%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 25.9 kt (2023) +970%

Value 25.9 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +969.8%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 747 t (2023) +236%

Value 747 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +235.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 2.22 kg/ha (2023) -17%

Value 2.22 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -16.7%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 29 Mt CO₂e (2024) +328%

Value 29 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +328.1%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 135 % change (2024) +4761%

Value 135 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +4761.1%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 31.4 Gt CO₂e (2022) +79%

Value 31.4 Gt CO₂e (2022)

Change since 2000 +78.9%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 41,957 Gt CO₂e (2024) +6313%

Value 41,957 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +6312.6%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 1.43 % (2024) +214%

Value 1.43 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +214.0%

Definition (source: Our World in Data): A dataset describing the global warming response to national emissions CO2, CH4 and N2O from fossil and land use sources during 1851-2024. National CO2 emissions data are collated from the Global Carbon Project (Andrew and Peters, 2025; Friedlingstein et al., 2025). National CH4 and N2O emissions data are collated from PRIMAP-hist (HISTTP) (Gütschow et al., 2024). We construct a time series of cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions for each country, gas, and emissions source (fossil or land use). Emissions of CH4 and N2O emissions are related to cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions using the Global Warming Potential (GWP*) approach, with best-estimates of the coefficients taken from the IPCC AR6 (Forster et al., 2021). Warming in response to cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions is estimated using the transient climate response to cumulative carbon emissions (TCRE) approach, with best-estimate value of TCRE taken from the IPCC AR6 (Forster et al., 2021, Canadell et al., 2021). 'Warming' is specifically the change in global mean surface temperature (GMST). The data files provide emissions, cumulative emissions and the GMST response by country, gas (CO2, CH4, N2O or 3-GHG total) and source (fossil emissions, land use emissions or the total).

Citation: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. “Share of global nitrous oxide emissions” [dataset]. Jones et al., “National contributions to climate change 2025.1” [original data]. Retrieved September 21, 2026 from https://archive.ourworldindata.org/20260910-011030/grapher/share-nitrous-oxide-emissions.html (archived on September 10, 2026).

N₂O from all sectors per capita single year 0.508 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 1.08 Mt CO₂e (2024) +192%

Value 1.08 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +192.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 105 kt CO₂e (2024) +5%

Value 105 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +4.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 208 kt CO₂e (2024) +829%

Value 208 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +828.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 1.8 Mt CO₂e (2024) +491%

Value 1.8 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +490.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 7.6 kt CO₂e (2024) +591%

Value 7.6 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +590.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 612 kt CO₂e (2024) +2182%

Value 612 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +2181.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 2.2 Mt CO₂e (2024) +400%

Value 2.2 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +400.0%

Population (total) 238 M (2025) +427%

Value 238 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +427.2%

GDP (current US$) 291 B$ (2025) +6830%

Value 291 B$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +6830.0%

GDP per capita (current US$) 1.22 k$ (2025) +1214%

Value 1.22 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +1214.5%

Cropland area (% of land area) 8.07 % of land area (2023) +110%

Value 8.07 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +110.1%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 6 policies (2018) —

Number of Public Policies Enacted (by Year) 0 policies (2018) —

Value 0 policies (2018)

Change since 1905 —

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) 23 % of GDP (2025) +88%

Value 23 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1981 +87.7%

Cropland area (hectares) 44,226,210 ha (2023) +63%

Value 44,226,210 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.7%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations