Drop in Food Prices Shows Tinubu’s Policies Taking Hold, Says Kyari
- Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari said food prices have dropped nationwide following government interventions
- Temporary food imports and fertiliser support were introduced to stabilise supply while boosting local production
- President Tinubu ordered continued measures to keep prices down and strengthen food security
Food prices across Nigeria have fallen following a series of government interventions, according to Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
Speaking on an ARISE Television programme on Friday, the minister said the policies of President Bola Tinubu are beginning to ease the pressure on household budgets after months of soaring costs.
Source: Twitter
Minister explains how price crash was accomplished
Kyari explained that the administration adopted a dual approach of boosting local production while allowing temporary imports to stabilise the market. He said the strategy was necessary to correct long-standing structural weaknesses in the agricultural sector and to ensure immediate food availability.
“There are tools if you want to take care of the structural imbalances in the agricultural sector,” he said.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came at a time when there was huge structural default in terms of food security and that is why he had to declare the clarion call and emergency on food security in July 2023.”
Minister laments about production gap
According to the minister, Nigeria still faces a production gap in key staples such as rice, which prompted the short-term importation plan.
Source: Twitter
He noted that the import window lasted only six months and was carefully managed so as not to discourage farmers.
“The importation window was only for six months, and it has come and gone,” Kyari stated. “When you look at the global demand field, it is not enough to make farmers discouraged with agricultural production.”
Kyari also pointed to several incentives aimed at supporting local producers. He said the president ordered the Central Bank to release two million bags of fertiliser for free distribution to farmers and approved programmes that offered fertiliser at half the usual cost.
These measures, he added, significantly increased production in 2024 and helped drive down prices.
President Tinubu recently directed a Federal Executive Council committee to continue implementing urgent steps to keep food affordable nationwide.
Kyari maintained that the combination of short-term imports and sustained support for farmers is creating a more balanced and resilient food supply for Nigerians.
Kano communities stranded as crucial bridge collapses
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a vital local bridge known as “Gadar Dare” collapsed in the early hours of Monday, severing a critical connection between the Yanshana and Naibawa communities, leaving hundreds of residents and students stranded.
The collapse, attributed to the structural weakening caused by a heavy downpour, occurred along the Kureken Sani road. The bridge had for years served as the primary route for daily activities, including commuting to work, school, and other essential businesses.
Residents confirmed that the incident happened around midnight, a timing that likely averted a tragedy as there was no pedestrian or vehicular movement at that hour while it was still raining heavily.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
