Tinubu orders committee to act swiftly on reducing food prices, focusing on safe passage of produce and farmer support schemes

Tinubu orders committee on food prices to take immediate steps to ease the burden on Nigerians, directing the Federal Executive Council to roll out measures that will bring down the cost of food.

Also read: Tinubu to create food prices regulatory board

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, revealed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a workshop for Senate correspondents.

He said the directive targets safe passage of agricultural produce across transport routes, a move expected to reduce logistics costs that drive up food prices.

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 stated.

Nigeria has seen worsening food insecurity in recent years, fueled by the removal of fuel subsidy, insecurity on highways, and soaring transport costs. Despite interventions, staple foods remain out of reach for many households.

The minister added that the initiative ties into Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty, ensuring not just availability but also affordability, accessibility, and nutrition.

As part of this strategy, the government plans to launch a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and introduce a cooperative reform programme to empower rural farmers.

“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, economic activity generation, and improved livelihood,” Abdullahi said.

Tinubu had earlier, in his Democracy Day address, restated his ambition of achieving food sovereignty, linking it to Nigeria’s medium-term growth target of seven per cent GDP expansion driven by agriculture and manufacturing.

Also read: Federal Government to tackle soaring food Prices, Abubakar KyarI

With the latest directive, the administration hopes to ease food costs for millions of struggling Nigerians while strengthening the country’s agricultural base.