Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has directed a Federal Executive Council committee to intensify efforts to further reduce the prices of food items across Nigeria. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, announced this initiative during a capacity-building workshop for journalists covering the Senate in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abdullahi emphasized that the president’s directive is focused on ensuring the safe passage of agricultural products throughout the country, aligning with Tinubu’s vision of achieving food sovereignty. The Federal Government is committed to addressing the high transportation costs of farm produce, which contribute significantly to the elevated prices of food items.
Abdullahi stated, “The president has issued a mandate for a federal executive council committee to manage this process. We are working on promoting the safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across various routes in the country. By understanding the financial burdens related to transportation, we aim to reduce costs and subsequently lower food prices.”
The minister highlighted that the government’s approach to food sovereignty encompasses food security, sufficiency, accessibility, affordability, and nutritional value on a sustainable basis. He mentioned other initiatives, such as the ‘Farmer Soil Health Scheme and Cooperative Reform,’ which are set for implementation.
“We are prepared to launch the Farmer Soil Health Scheme, pending finalization. President Tinubu has shown significant interest in the cooperative sector as a means to mobilize resources, generate economic activity, and improve livelihoods,” Abdullahi noted. He also encouraged journalists to consider forming cooperatives to benefit from the reforms.
The workshop, organized by the News Agency of Nigeria, was themed ‘Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges, and Responsibilities.’ It featured contributions from Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang, and Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
