Nigerians are beginning to feel relief at local markets as food prices record a notable decline, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said.
In a televised interview on Friday, Kyari attributed the easing of food costs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s targeted food security measures, which he said are already yielding results.
He explained that the government’s approach combined boosting local agricultural production with a temporary window for imports to address longstanding gaps in the sector.
“President Tinubu came into office at a time when Nigeria was facing deep-rooted challenges in food security.
“Declaring a state of emergency in July 2023 was necessary to quickly stabilise the situation,” Kyari said.
The minister emphasised that the temporary importation policy was designed to balance supply and demand rather than discourage local farmers. He noted that the six-month policy has now ended.
“Importation was strictly limited and has since closed. At the same time, the administration ensured massive support for local farmers to boost productivity,” he added.
Kyari highlighted that Nigeria continues to face a supply gap in staples such as rice, where domestic production does not meet national demand. Government interventions, he said, aimed to bridge this gap without undermining local producers.
Among the measures, President Tinubu directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to release two million bags of fertiliser for free distribution to farmers. The minister also noted that other programmes offered fertiliser subsidies of up to 50 per cent, significantly enhancing crop yields in 2024.
“Food security is about availability, affordability, and accessibility. These interventions created a balance, ensuring Nigerians could see lower prices without slowing down local production,” Kyari explained.
In addition, Tinubu recently ordered a Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee to implement further urgent measures to drive down food costs nationwide.
Analysts say the administration’s approach demonstrates a commitment to blending short-term relief with long-term agricultural reforms.