Federal Government Expands Subsidised Rice Programme to Lagos, Kano, and Borno
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government is expanding its subsidised rice programme to Lagos, Kano, and Borno states to alleviate food insecurity, an official at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security revealed on Monday.
This move follows the recent launch of the programme in Abuja, where a 50kg bag of rice is being sold for N40,000 as part of the government’s efforts to tackle soaring food prices. The market price for the same quantity of rice currently hovers around N90,000 to N100,000 in some areas.
The programme will distribute 30,000 metric tonnes of rice, equivalent to 1,000 trucks each carrying 600 bags. The government remains committed to ensuring that low-income Nigerians, particularly in these three states, benefit from this vital initiative, aimed at making essential food staples more affordable during these challenging economic times.
Despite challenges, including issues with public cooperation and attempts to exploit the system for profiteering, the Ministry assured that the programme would continue, with sales ongoing in the Federal Capital Territory and other locations to follow shortly.
The expansion comes at a time of heightened food insecurity, with the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that food inflation hit 37.52% in August 2024. This alarming rise has been exacerbated by the naira’s depreciation, affecting the purchasing power of many Nigerians.
In line with the government’s economic recovery plan, Finance Minister Wale Edun also emphasised the need for Nigeria to end its reliance on food imports, focusing on boosting local production to meet domestic needs.