President Bola Tinubu has directed a Federal Executive Council committee to quickly develop solutions to make food more affordable in Nigeria. This move aims to ease the burden of rising food prices for millions.
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, shared this update during a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Securing Transport for Farm Produce
The President’s directive focuses on making transport routes safer for agricultural goods. This will cut logistics costs, a major driver of high food prices.
“Tinubu has tasked the committee with ensuring farm products move safely and efficiently across Nigeria,” Abdullahi said at a Senate correspondents’ workshop.
Tackling Food Insecurity Challenges
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces growing food insecurity. Factors like fuel subsidy removal, high transport costs, and insecurity on highways have disrupted food distribution.
As a result, many Nigerians struggle to afford basic meals despite government efforts.
A Vision for Food Sovereignty
Abdullahi noted that Tinubu’s plan supports food sovereignty. This means ensuring food is affordable, accessible, and nutritious for all Nigerians in the long term.
New Programs to Support Farmers
To achieve this, the government will launch a Farmer Soil Health Program to boost crop yields. Additionally, a cooperative reform initiative will empower rural farmers by improving access to resources.
“Tinubu sees cooperatives as a key tool for economic growth and better livelihoods,” Abdullahi explained.
Event Context
The announcement came during a workshop, “Parliamentary Reporting: Challenges, Responsibilities, and Opportunities.”
Key attendees included Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senate Media Committee Chairman; former aide Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, NILDS Director-General.
Driving Economic Growth
In a June Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s progress toward food security.
“Our ‘Nigeria First’ policy drives sustainable growth. We’re targeting seven percent economic growth with a strong manufacturing base. We’re steadily moving toward food self-sufficiency,” he said.
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