President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Executive Council to establish a committee tasked with urgently implementing strategies to further reduce food prices across Nigeria.
This was revealed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Abdullahi, the President’s directive emphasizes ensuring the smooth and secure transportation of agricultural produce across the country’s road networks, aimed at cutting down high logistics costs that have contributed to rising food prices.
“The President has issued a clear directive. A Federal Executive Council committee is already working on how to facilitate the safe passage of agricultural produce across various routes in the country,” the minister said during a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, continues to grapple with worsening food insecurity—exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies, high transportation costs, and insecurity along major highways that disrupt supply chains.
Despite various government efforts, food prices remain unaffordable for millions.
Abdullahi noted that the initiative is part of President Tinubu’s broader agenda for achieving food sovereignty—an approach that goes beyond food availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and sustainable nutrition.
To support this vision, the minister announced that the government will soon launch a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to enhance agricultural productivity. Additionally, a reformed cooperative system will be introduced to mobilize resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr President has shown strong commitment to revitalising the cooperative sector as a vital tool for mobilising resources, stimulating economic activities, and improving livelihoods,” Abdullahi added.
The workshop, themed “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges, and Responsibilities,” also featured key stakeholders, including Senate Media Committee Chairman Senator Yemi Adaramodu, former presidential aide Senator Ita Solomon Enang, and the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
President Tinubu had previously reiterated his commitment to food security during his Democracy Day speech in June, stating that Nigeria is on track to achieve food sovereignty through the policies enacted by his administration.
He said, “Our ‘Nigeria First’ policy will further enhance progress as we consolidate market-driven growth. The improving economic indicators affirm the strength of our policy choices. We aim for a medium-term target of seven percent economic growth with a stronger manufacturing base. We must learn to produce and grow the majority of our food, and we are making steady progress toward achieving food sovereignty.”
