Nigerian agriculture is not living up to its potential. In a system mostly dependent on the rainfed cultivation, many Nigerians face ongoing food insecurity and poverty, due in part to chronic under-investment in agriculture. If Nigeria is to attain robust and sustainable growth, it must improve agricultural methods, starting from the ground up. The research modeling the impact of expanded small-scale irrigation in Nigeria shows this approach has great potential to boost agricultural productivity, and along with it, the economy.