News in brief: President Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria following fuel subsidy removal, aiming to support vulnerable citizens and address the harsh realities they face. Measures include disbursement of agricultural inputs, creating a National Commodity board, and irrigating farmlands for year-round crop production.
Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security on the heels of fuel subsidy removal, and the attendant hardship that citizens are facing.
Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents. He said it was the outcome of consultations between government and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
The presidential spokesman added that the move was parallel to the administration’s goal of supporting the most vulnerable in society. He also mentioned that the current administration empathises with the masses, being mindful of the current harsh realities being experienced.
The president instructs that the National Security Council take over all issues relating to food and water availability and affordability. To this end, the government has ordered the immediate disbursement of grains and fertilisers to households nationwide.
He adds that his administration is creating of a National Commodity board to regulate market prices of commodities. The board will also oversee creating a federal food reserve to stabilise the costs of critical grains and other food items.
The president said the current module of relying on seasonal farming and harvesting was no longer feasible with the demands of a growing population. He, therefore, urged that ministries of agriculture and water resources collaborate to irrigate farmlands, ensuring all year round the crop production.
“Our new initiatives will tackle rising food costs, enhance agriculture, and boost job creation. No one will be left behind in our efforts to ensure affordable, plentiful food for every Nigerian,” Tinubu said.
The president reiterated his plan of preparing 500,000 hectares for agricultural purposes and said that work in ongoing to map them out. To protect farmers and farming activities to ensure optimal food productivity on this land, the government is working with security agencies. In addition, the government is working with both public and private stakeholders in the agricultural and food sectors to ensure the success of this project.
