President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release approximately 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, and other commodities from strategic reserves.
Tinubu’s move aims to tackle the escalating cost of food in the country and to attract more foreign investment to Africa’s largest economy.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Thursday at the State House in Abuja following a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention.
Additionally, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria has committed to releasing around 60,000 metric tons of rice into the markets.
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Idris said:
“The first one is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been directed to release about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities in their strategic reserve so that these items will be made available to Nigerians; 42,000 metric tons immediately.
“The second one is that we have held meetings with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria. Those who are responsible for producing this rice and we have asked them to open up their stores.
“They’ve told us that they can guarantee about 60,000 metric tons of rice. They will make that available to Nigerians; to bring out to the market to make food available.”
The actions coincide with the day when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, appealed to Nigerians regarding the high cost of living.
Abbas disclosed that the lawmakers empathize with the citizens’ struggles.
