In a resolute effort to ease the economic strain on millions of Nigerian households, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive to a Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee to implement urgent measures aimed at drastically reducing food prices nationwide. Announced on September 10, 2025, this initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: the skyrocketing cost of basic food items that has deepened poverty and food insecurity for many. As the nation grapples with persistent inflation, supply chain disruptions, and insecurity, Tinubu’s directive signals a determined push toward achieving food sovereignty, affordability, and accessibility for all Nigerians.
The announcement came during a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents in Abuja, themed “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities.” The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, revealed the President’s directive, emphasizing that the FEC committee is actively working to ensure the safe and efficient transport of agricultural goods across the country. This effort targets the high transportation costs that significantly drive up food prices at markets. Abdullahi highlighted that these logistics expenses are a key reason why essential commodities remain unaffordable for many Nigerians. The committee’s mandate is not only to address immediate price concerns but also to align with Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—where Nigeria produces, accesses, and affords its food sustainably, ensuring availability, affordability, accessibility, and nutritional adequacy.
The Deepening Food Crisis: A National Emergency
Nigeria’s food crisis has reached critical levels, with the cost of basic staples like rice, beans, tomatoes, and garri placing immense pressure on households. Food inflation, though slightly moderated by mid-2025, remains a dominant driver of economic hardship. By July 2025, food prices were still significantly higher than the previous year, with the average cost of essential items climbing steadily. This persistent rise has pushed millions into acute food insecurity, with projections estimating that over 33 million Nigerians could face hunger during the 2025 lean season (June–August), a sharp increase in emergency-level needs.
Several factors have fueled this crisis. The removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023, while aimed at long-term fiscal stability, caused petrol prices to triple, leading to a surge in transportation costs. This, in turn, inflated the price of goods as farmers and traders faced higher expenses to move produce from farms to markets. The naira’s depreciation has further compounded the issue, making imported agricultural inputs like fertilizers and machinery prohibitively expensive. Climate change has also played a devastating role, with floods in northern Nigeria and droughts in southern regions reducing harvests and driving up prices. Insecurity, particularly in the northeast, has disrupted farming communities, displaced millions, and made major transport routes dangerous, leading to extortion, hoarding, and supply chain bottlenecks.
The impact of these rising costs is stark. Staples like beans have seen price increases of over 200% in some regions, forcing many families to skip meals or rely on less nutritious alternatives. In urban areas, where food inflation outpaces rural areas, the cost of living has become unbearable for low-income households. Rural communities, while closer to food sources, face their own challenges, including limited access to markets and high input costs for smallholder farmers, who make up the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The social consequences are profound. Malnutrition is on the rise, particularly among children, with long-term implications for health, education, and economic productivity. In the northeast, ongoing violence has destroyed farmlands and displaced millions, exacerbating hunger in already vulnerable regions. Public frustration has spilled over into protests in cities like Lagos and Abuja, where citizens have voiced their struggles to afford even a single meal. Economists warn that unchecked food inflation could shave significant growth from Nigeria’s economy, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.
Tinubu’s Vision for Food Sovereignty: A Multi-Pronged Strategy
President Tinubu’s directive builds on his earlier pledges to prioritize food security. In a June 2025 address, he emphasized the need for Nigeria to produce and grow most of its food, a goal he reiterated in his 2025 New Year’s message, promising intensified efforts to lower food costs through increased production and local manufacturing. The FEC committee’s work is a cornerstone of this vision, focusing on dismantling barriers in the agricultural value chain to make food more affordable.
The committee’s strategy includes several key initiatives:
Securing Transport Routes: A primary focus is ensuring the safe and cost-effective movement of farm produce. Insecurity, including banditry in the northwest and insurgency in the northeast, has made key highways dangerous for transporters, inflating costs. The committee is collaborating with security agencies to provide escorts, establish checkpoints, and explore technologies like drones to monitor routes. By reducing logistics costs, this could lower market prices significantly.
Reducing Input Costs: High costs of fertilizers, seeds, and machinery have crippled farmers’ productivity. The committee plans to distribute subsidized inputs and promote locally produced alternatives. A soil health program aims to improve land fertility using sustainable methods, potentially boosting yields in targeted regions.
Empowering Farmers and Cooperatives: Smallholder farmers and cooperatives will receive enhanced support through low-interest loans, training, and credit access via the Bank of Agriculture. Special attention will be given to women and youth, who are often marginalized in agriculture, to foster inclusivity and boost rural economies.
Improving Storage and Market Access: Post-harvest losses, estimated at 40% annually, contribute to scarcity and high prices. Investments in silos, cold chains, and strategic reserves aim to stabilize supply. Price controls on certain staples, such as subsidized rice for public servants, will be expanded to reach more vulnerable groups.
These efforts are part of broader agricultural reforms, including the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan, which aims to transform Nigeria’s food system. International partners are providing technical support to align these initiatives with global goals, such as reducing hunger under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learning from History: Avoiding Past Pitfalls
Nigeria’s battle with food prices is not new. During the 1970s oil boom, agriculture was neglected, leading to import dependency. The 2016 recession saw similar price spikes, prompting initiatives like Operation Feed the Nation, which faltered due to poor implementation. More recently, programs under the previous administration aimed to boost rice production but were hampered by corruption and farmer debt. Tinubu’s approach seeks to avoid these pitfalls by focusing on the entire value chain—from production to distribution—and fostering cross-ministerial collaboration.
Early signs of progress are visible. By early 2025, prices of some staples, like tomatoes and garri, began to drop in major markets like Lagos, driven by improved harvests and policy interventions. However, these gains are uneven, with rural areas still facing high costs and limited access. The administration’s focus on systemic issues, such as transport and input costs, draws inspiration from successful models in other countries, where targeted subsidies and infrastructure investments have reduced hunger.
The Human Toll: Who Suffers Most?
The food crisis disproportionately affects Nigeria’s poorest citizens. Over 60% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day, and rising prices have forced many to cut back on meals. Women-headed households and children are particularly vulnerable, with malnutrition rates climbing and long-term health consequences looming. In conflict-affected regions like Borno, where farmland destruction and displacement are rampant, food prices have soared beyond reach for many.
Economically, high food prices reduce productivity, as malnourished workers contribute less to the economy. Smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of Nigeria’s food, struggle with rising input costs, leading to reduced planting and further supply shortages. Urban migration has swelled informal markets, where price volatility is common, while rural communities face barriers to market access. However, opportunities exist: empowering farmer cooperatives could transform rural economies, and school feeding programs could address child malnutrition while supporting local farmers.
Challenges and Criticisms: A Daunting Road Ahead
Despite its ambition, Tinubu’s directive faces significant hurdles. Corruption has historically undermined subsidy programs, siphoning funds meant for farmers. Insecurity remains a persistent threat, with bandits and insurgents disrupting transport routes. The naira’s volatility continues to drive up import costs, and climate shocks, such as recent floods, demand resilient infrastructure. Monetary policies, including high interest rates, could limit farmers’ access to credit, while public skepticism—fueled by past unfulfilled promises—poses a political challenge.
Critics argue that the government must prioritize transparency and accountability to ensure the committee’s success. Civil society groups and labor unions have called for clear timelines and measurable outcomes. Social media reflects public frustration, with many Nigerians demanding tangible results rather than rhetoric. To succeed, the government must leverage data to monitor progress and engage communities to build trust.
A Call for Collective Action
Tinubu’s directive is a critical step toward food security, but it requires sustained effort and collaboration. Nigeria aims to halve hunger by 2030, a goal that demands significant investment in agriculture. Private sector involvement, through agro-processing hubs, and international partnerships will be essential. States like Kebbi, with successful irrigation schemes, offer models for replication.
Citizens also have a role to play. Community farming initiatives, consumer advocacy, and support for local markets can complement government efforts. As Tinubu emphasized in early 2025, the sacrifices of Nigerians must yield results. If the FEC committee delivers, it could transform Nigeria from a food importer to a self-sufficient producer, ensuring that no family goes hungry.
Broader Implications: Nigeria’s Economic and Global Future
Beyond immediate relief, this initiative positions agriculture as a driver of economic growth. Nigeria’s economy grew modestly in 2025, but agriculture’s potential remains untapped due to supply chain issues. Stabilizing food prices could boost consumer spending and exports, strengthening Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy. Regionally, reduced hunger could enhance stability, enabling Nigeria to expand food exports to neighboring countries.
In conclusion, President Tinubu’s directive to the FEC committee is a bold response to Nigeria’s food crisis. By addressing transport, inputs, and market access, the administration aims to make food affordable and achieve sovereignty. Success hinges on execution, inclusivity, and resilience against economic and environmental challenges. As the lean season looms, the committee’s actions will determine whether Nigeria can feed its people and build a brighter, more sustainable future.
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