This report argues that this is partly due to a knowledge gap regarding the relationship between varietal technology levels and the effectiveness of seed sector policies. It first provides a brief conceptual discussion on how the effectiveness of selected seed sector policies may depend on underlying varietal technology levels. Using rice as an example, it then provides key historical and international perspectives on how varietal technology development by the public sector through intensive rice breeding had preceded the expansion of seed certification and testing, and show that there still is a substantial need for the Nigerian government to develop improved rice varieties through intensified domestic plant breeding in order for its seed certification and seed subsidy programs to be more effective.