Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency On Food Security

Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security, aiming to prioritize the well-being of the nation’s citizens. The President’s directive includes the integration of matters related to the affordability and availability of food and water into the National Security Council’s responsibilities. This move reflects the administration’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society.

During a briefing with State House correspondents, Presidential spokesman Dele Alake emphasized that the President recognizes the escalating cost of food and its impact on citizens’ finances. In response, the President has ordered the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households, aiming to alleviate the effects of subsidy removal.

Furthermore, the President highlighted the need for close cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure sufficient irrigation of farmlands and promote year-round food production. Quoting the President, “There must be an urgent synergy…to guarantee that food is produced all-year round.”

To effectively address the issue, the President announced the creation of a National Commodity Board. This board will be responsible for continuously monitoring and evaluating food prices while maintaining a strategic food reserve. Its purpose will be to stabilize prices and prevent drastic fluctuations. Key stakeholders, including the National Commodity Exchange (NCX), Seed Companies, National Seed Council and Research institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Food Processing/ Agric Processing associations, private sector holders & Prime Anchors, small holder farmers, crop associations, and Fertilizer producers, blenders, and suppliers associations, among others, have been enlisted to support the President’s intervention efforts.

Recognizing the importance of protecting farmers and their farmlands, the President pledged to engage the security architecture to ensure their safety, enabling them to carry out their work without fear of attacks.

In terms of financing the agricultural value chain, the President emphasized the continued role of the Central Bank of Nigeria in providing funding support.

Efforts to increase the availability of arable land for farming have already commenced, with the mapping of 500,000 hectares of land.

Tinubu also expressed his commitment to boosting revenue from food and agricultural exports, emphasizing the importance of this sector for the country’s economic growth.

This proactive approach by Tinubu’s administration reflects their determination to address the pressing issue of food security and ensure the well-being of Nigerian citizens.

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