The 36 state governors have pledged to collaborate closely with the Federal Government to harmonize levies, eliminate illegal checkpoints, and improve the free movement of goods across state lines. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to tackle the country’s escalating food security challenges.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, noted that both the Progressive Governors Forum and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum have jointly agreed on the urgent need to implement a longstanding proposal for a state-level security architecture to complement federal efforts.
Although the national average for year-on-year food inflation dropped to 21.14% in May—down sharply from 40.66% in May 2024—this decline is largely attributed to a change in the base year used for calculations. In reality, many Nigerians continue to feel the burden of rising food prices.
Month-on-month inflation, which offers a more immediate view of price trends, edged up to 2.19% in May from 2.06% in April, underscoring persistent inflationary pressures in key food items.
Across several states, food prices continue to surge—often most sharply in regions that are top producers of staple crops. This paradox points to a disconnect between local food production and affordability, fueled by supply chain disruptions, insecurity, and high transportation costs.
The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the prices of essential food items such as yam, pepper, cassava, and maize remain elevated, with regional variations in the degree of price hikes.
Following a meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other stakeholders, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum—chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq—identified illegal checkpoints, unauthorized levies, and poor infrastructure as key contributors to rising food costs and supply chain bottlenecks.
Delivering the communiqué on behalf of the Forum, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also raised concerns over the World Bank’s unfulfilled funding promises under the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme.
