President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee on food security to move swiftly in implementing measures aimed at reducing food prices nationwide.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that the directive focuses on guaranteeing the safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a federal executive council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
Nigeria continues to battle worsening food insecurity, worsened by high transport costs, insecurity on highways, and the removal of fuel subsidy, which have disrupted food supply chains.
Despite interventions, millions still struggle to afford basic staples.
Abdullahi explained that the plan aligns with Tinubu’s broader vision of achieving food sovereignty, ensuring not just availability, but also affordability, accessibility, and nutrition.
To support this, the government is set to introduce a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” the minister added.
The event also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; former presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
Tinubu had earlier reiterated his commitment to food sovereignty in his Democracy Day speech, stressing the need for Nigeria to grow and produce most of its food while targeting medium-term economic growth of 7% with a stronger manufacturing base.
(Agency Report)
