Presidential spokesperson Dele Alake addressed the media on Thursday, sharing crucial details about the recent directives given by the President. In an effort to prioritize the well-being of citizens, the President has instructed that food and water availability and affordability, which are essential for livelihood, should fall under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council.
This directive aligns with the Tinubu administration’s stance on supporting the most vulnerable members of society. Alake emphasized that the President is aware of the escalating cost of food and its impact on the people’s finances.
Nigerians have been expressing their concerns regarding the surging food prices, noting that this might affect their ability to celebrate the upcoming festive season as they had hoped. Some individuals have even mentioned that they traditionally distribute food items to their families and friends but are uncertain whether they can do so this year due to the uncontrollable situation.
In response to these challenges, the President has also mandated the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the consequences of subsidy removal. He emphasized the need for a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure sufficient irrigation of farmlands, allowing for year-round food production.
The President stated, “We shall create and support a National Commodity Board that will review and continuously assess food prices, as well as maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as a price stabilization mechanism for critical grains and other food items.” The board will play a crucial role in moderating fluctuations in food prices.
To facilitate this intervention, the President has enlisted the support of various stakeholders, including the National Commodity Exchange, Seed Companies, National Seed Council and Research Institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Food Processing/ Agricultural Processing associations, private sector holders & Prime Anchors, smallholder farmers, crop associations, and fertilizer producers, blenders, and suppliers.
Moreover, the President emphasized the need for enhanced security measures to protect farmers and their farmlands, ensuring they can work without fear of attacks. The Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to play a pivotal role in funding the agricultural value chain.
To increase the availability of arable land for farming, 500,000 hectares have already been mapped. The President also emphasized the need to boost revenue from food and agricultural exports.
While some Nigerians remain skeptical about whether these measures will effectively address food insecurity, others have advised the President to reopen the land borders to ensure an adequate food supply. The reactions from Nigerians demonstrate a diverse range of opinions.
Shauibu Saka “State of Emergency need to be declared on everything possible in this country not only on Food Security. Education, Security among others.”
Ibigoni Tolulope “How does that translate to food on the table for the common man? He should as matter of urgency open the borders so that food can come in and that’s a simple as food security.”
Adamu Keta ” Declare state of emergency on security too insecurity was the reason farmers are out of farm”
However, the President’s directives and proposed interventions demonstrate a comprehensive approach aimed at addressing the pressing issue of food security in Nigeria. The success of these measures will depend on their effective implementation and the collaboration of various stakeholders involved in the agricultural sector.
