Tinubu mandates swift action on reducing food prices
President Bola Tinubu has directed a Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee to urgently roll out measures aimed at driving down food prices nationwide.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, announced this on Wednesday in Abuja, stressing that the directive prioritises safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to reduce logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a federal executive council committee already working on how to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a workshop for Senate correspondents.
Nigeria has been grappling with soaring food prices triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy, rising transport costs, and insecurity on highways disrupting movement of goods.
Abdullahi explained that the initiative aligns with Tinubu’s broader food sovereignty agenda, which goes beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and sustainable nutrition. He added that the government will soon launch a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity, alongside reforms in the cooperative sector to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a tool for resource mobilisation, economic activity generation, and improving the livelihoods of members,” the minister said.
The workshop, themed “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities”, also had in attendance Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; former presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
Tinubu had earlier, during his June Democracy Day address at the National Assembly, reaffirmed that Nigeria is on course to achieving food sovereignty under his administration’s policies.
