On Thursday, June 19, 2025, Nigeria’s 36 state governors, under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, committed to partnering with the Federal Government to streamline levies, eliminate illegal checkpoints, and enhance the free flow of goods to address food security challenges.
The pledge followed a meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and key ministers in Abuja.
Checkpoints Fuel Price Hikes
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reading the NGF communiqué, highlighted that widespread checkpoints, unlawful levies, and poor infrastructure are driving food price inflation and disrupting supply chains.
“The proliferation of checkpoints and illegal taxation are key contributors to inefficiencies,” he said, summarizing a briefing by Ribadu, joined by the Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation.
An inter-ministerial committee’s recommendations to tackle these issues have been submitted for NGF endorsement.
Collaborative Action Urged
The governors acknowledged the urgency of the crisis, exacerbated by high transportation costs for food and livestock.
They expressed readiness to collaborate with federal authorities to dismantle unauthorized checkpoints and improve goods movement across states.
There have however been public frustration with roadblocks, with citizens citing delays and extortion as major hurdles for traders, aligning with the governors’ concerns.
World Bank Funding Concerns
The NGF also voiced disappointment over the World Bank’s failure to fulfill funding commitments for the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
Sanwo-Olu noted that states have invested over $2.2 billion through NG-CARES, benefiting 17 million Nigerians.
“Governors are concerned about the non-fulfilment of pledges under NG-CARES 1.0.”
He added, urging resolution before transitioning to NG-CARES 2.0, which aims to build resilience for vulnerable households and businesses.
Path to Food Security
The governors’ commitment signals a unified approach to curb food inflation, a pressing issue as Nigeria grapples with economic challenges.
By addressing logistical bottlenecks and securing international funding, the NGF and FG aim to stabilize food prices and enhance supply chains, offering hope for millions affected by rising costs.
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