President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a renewed and intensified effort to address Nigeria’s worsening food crisis, directing a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee to immediately roll out measures that will significantly reduce the soaring cost of food across the nation.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, on Wednesday during a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents in Abuja. Abdullahi stressed that the directive reflects the President’s determination to confront food inflation head-on and to ensure that ordinary Nigerians can access affordable meals without further delay.
According to Abdullahi, one of the key interventions ordered by the President is the establishment of a “safe passage” framework for the transportation of farm produce and food commodities across Nigeria’s major routes. This initiative, he said, is designed to lower logistics costs that have been inflated by rampant insecurity, multiple taxation, and escalating transport fares. By reducing these bottlenecks, the government hopes to make food more available and affordable in markets nationwide.
“The President has given a matching order, and part of that directive is focused on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural produce and commodities across the country. The aim is to reduce unnecessary costs that make food more expensive for the common man,” Abdullahi explained.
Nigeria has been grappling with one of its most severe periods of food insecurity in decades. Since the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, transportation costs have skyrocketed, while persistent attacks on highways, destruction of farms by bandits, and erratic climate patterns have disrupted food production and distribution. Despite multiple government interventions, food prices have remained stubbornly high, pushing millions of households deeper into poverty and hunger.
Abdullahi further revealed that the latest plan aligns with President Tinubu’s broader food sovereignty agenda, which goes beyond availability and seeks to guarantee affordability, accessibility, and nutritional quality. “Mr. President is not just talking about food security, he is talking about food sovereignty — meaning that Nigerians should not only have enough food to eat, but it must also be affordable, healthy, and safe,” the minister stated.
To complement this directive, the government is preparing to introduce a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to improve yields through better land management, as well as a revitalized cooperative reform system that will empower rural farmers, pool resources together, and enhance agricultural productivity nationwide.
“Mr. President has demonstrated strong interest in reviving the cooperative movement because it remains a key driver of resource mobilisation, sustainable agricultural practices, and livelihood improvement for millions of Nigerians,” Abdullahi added.
The workshop also featured contributions from key political and policy figures, including Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Media Committee; Senator Ita Solomon Enang, a former presidential aide; and Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). They all stressed the urgency of restoring confidence in Nigeria’s food system and highlighted the role of collaboration between the executive, legislature, and civil society in tackling the crisis.
For millions of Nigerians who are struggling daily to afford basic meals, the President’s latest directive raises both hope and cautious optimism. The coming weeks will determine whether these measures can finally bring lasting relief at markets, curb inflation, and restore food stability in Africa’s most populous nation.