Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government is set to expand its subsidised rice programme to help alleviate food insecurity, with new sales launching soon in Lagos, Kano, and Borno states, according to a director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday.
Earlier this month, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari unveiled the ₦40,000 per 50kg subsidised rice in Abuja, positioning the initiative as part of a wider effort to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
The programme aims to provide relief to citizens grappling with soaring market prices. A 50kg bag of rice currently costs around ₦90,000 in many parts of the country, with prices in some areas nearing ₦100,000.
The government is making available 30,000 metric tonnes of rice, roughly equivalent to 1,000 trucks, each carrying 600 bags.
“As I speak with you now, we are going to activate Lagos and Kano states for the sales any moment from now. Borno State is also going to be addressed,” the agriculture ministry official, who requested anonymity, told our correspondent due to lack of official authorisation.
Addressing claims that rice sales had been halted in the Federal Capital Territory, the official clarified, “We have not even gone anywhere; how can we stop? The sales are ongoing, and we are actively engaging with other states.”
Another official revealed that civil servants, especially those around federal ministries in Abuja, have been benefiting from the subsidised rice. However, they acknowledged some coordination challenges and public resistance at the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) centre, where rice was being sold.
“We opened the NAIC centre to see the cooperation of the public, but they proved very difficult to control,” the official said. “Some persons came to sabotage the process to buy and take to the market, which frustrates the essence of the rice subsidy.”
Despite these setbacks, the official expressed optimism, saying, “We are focused on ensuring that low-income earners, who are the direct beneficiaries, can access this vital resource. The government is committed to a smooth rollout in the aforementioned states, aiming to activate sales any moment from now.”
The expansion is part of the government’s broader efforts to address food scarcity and assist vulnerable populations, ensuring that essential staples remain accessible and affordable amid Nigeria’s rising food prices.
The country is facing a sharp rise in hunger, worsened by soaring food prices and the weakening naira, which has diminished purchasing power. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation soared to 37.52% year-on-year in August 2024, a significant rise from 29.34% in August 2023.
Additionally, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited reported on September 27, 2024, that the NAFEM closing rate was ₦1540.78/$, with some black markets in Abuja selling dollars for over ₦1700/$.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Wale Edun, in a press conference marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, reiterated the need to end heavy food imports, calling it a key part of the government’s economic recovery plan.
“We should not be importing food,” Edun stressed, adding that Nigeria’s future lies in self-sufficiency.
“It is critical that we do not disrupt domestic food production. We mustn’t flood the market with imports,” he warned.