Maize (Zea mays L.) ranks as the second most widely cultivated crop in Nigeria, valued for its adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions and its multifaceted role in food security, animal feed, and industrial uses. This study explores farmers’ preferences for and adoption of drought-tolerant maize varieties (SAMMAZs), developed and issued by Ahmadu Bello University’s Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), and cultivated widely across Northern Nigeria, a region responsible for over 75% of the country’s maize production. With reference to cross-sectional data gathered from 850 maize farmers (715 men and 135 women) during the 2019-2024 farming seasons and with aid of descriptive statistic and regression models, the study highlights notable differences in varietal preferences. Male farmers prioritized high grain yield (90.6%), drought tolerance (79%), and low fertilizer input (54.8%). Meanwhile, female farmers showed greater preference for uniform growth (85.3%), high grain yield (72.1%), and low fertilizer requirements (59.4%). Statistical t-test indicated a significant yield advantage for the SAMMAZ51 (4,987.02 kg/ha) compared to farmer varieties (1,718.27 kg/ha), at 1% level of probability. The multivariate Probit regression models using Maximum likelihood with complete information (FIML) and endogenous switching regression model (ESRM)established key socioeconomic and institutional variables that determined choice of SAMMAZs, and factors that influenced productivity and gross margin of these products. Tobit regression analysis identified primal factors that influenced intensity of adoption to encompass the availability of extension and research services, closeness to input centers, credit availability, and assistance from both public and private entities. These results highlight how crucial it is to match farmers’ practical demands with crop breeding initiatives, particularly when it comes to qualities like market value, drought resilience, and yield potential.
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