In a bid to mitigate the soaring cost of food in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced that all food items imported into the country over the next 150 days will be subjected to a recommended retail price (RRP).
This decision is part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing food inflation and ensuring affordability for the populace.
The announcement comes shortly after the suspension of import duties and taxes on essential food items such as rice and wheat.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed the new measures via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the government is committed to bringing down food prices within the next 180 days.
Kyari detailed the government’s plan, emphasizing the importance of the RRP for imported commodities. “Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation.
These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days, including a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities,” Kyari tweeted.
The suspended duties, tariffs, and taxes apply to various food items, including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, which will be imported through both land and sea borders.
Kyari assured Nigerians that the quality and safety of these imports would be maintained, despite concerns about their genetic composition.
To bolster local food supply, the Federal Government plans to import 250,000 metric tons each of wheat and maize. These semi-processed commodities will be distributed to small-scale processors and millers nationwide.
Additionally, the government will engage with stakeholders to set a General Market Price (GMP) and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.
Kyari also highlighted ongoing support for smallholder farmers and the acceleration of dry season farming to ensure continuous food production.
Over the next 14 days, the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT) will meet with relevant agencies to finalize the implementation frameworks for these policies.
Meanwhile, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has voiced concerns over the Federal Government’s approach to the food crisis.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Ndume criticized the inaccessibility of President Bola Tinubu, alleging that even some cabinet ministers struggle to meet with him, making it difficult for lawmakers to provide advice on critical issues like the food crisis.
Ndume warned of the severe consequences of prolonged food scarcity, highlighting a UN report that predicts 82 million Nigerians could face hunger in the next five years.
“We are afraid that one day, a person may go to the market with money and be confronted with a situation where there won’t be food to buy,” Ndume stated.
He also noted the impact on children, particularly in the North-West, where malnutrition is already a significant concern.
The senator lamented the absence of food banks, which were previously available to address emergency food needs, and called for immediate action to prevent further deterioration of the food security situation in Nigeria.
