FG: Food Prices Fall By 50%, Nigeria Requires 25 Million Tonnes Of Maize Annually

The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria requires at least 25 million tonnes of maize annually to meet national demand and bolster food security across the country. According to reports, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, revealed this on Friday, March 6, during the Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting held in Abuja.

Abdullahi stated that the government has intensified efforts to boost local agricultural production to satisfy rising food demand while reducing dependence on imports. Expanding domestic production, he noted, remains a key priority of the administration of President Bola Tinubu. “Our focus is on expanding local production so affordable and nutritious food becomes accessible to every Nigerian,” the minister said.

The minister highlighted that government interventions in the agricultural sector are already yielding measurable results, particularly in the prices of essential food commodities. Recent data, he explained, show a significant drop in the prices of major food items nationwide. “Our efforts are paying off. Prices of major food commodities have dropped by about 50 per cent across the country,” Abdullahi said, adding that these measures reflect a commitment to improving food security and citizens’ well-being while addressing high input costs to sustain an affordable food supply.

Abdullahi further explained that the government is focusing on reducing production costs for farmers, including improving access to inputs and strengthening support systems within the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has prioritised key value chains—particularly rice, maize, and wheat—to reposition Nigeria as a major player in global agriculture. “We have prioritised rice, maize, and wheat value chains, creating opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers and other stakeholders,” he said.

According to the minister, investments across these value chains will not only increase production but also stimulate job creation and expand agro-industrial activities nationwide. The ongoing reforms are designed to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and enhance productivity across priority crops, aligning with the administration’s economic blueprint, known as the Renewed Hope Agenda. “The goal is clear: Nigeria must produce what it consumes and consume what it produces,” Abdullahi emphasised.

He added that achieving food sovereignty would reduce the nation’s vulnerability to global supply disruptions while strengthening the economy. The minister also urged stakeholders to collaborate closely with state ministries of agriculture to accelerate food production nationwide. “Together we can transform Nigeria’s food system and ensure sustainable agricultural growth for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

Abdullahi described the quarterly engagement as part of the ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in policy formulation and implementation. “This platform underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping sound policies and ensuring effective implementation,” he said. The initiative, he added, aims to strengthen partnerships to ensure food remains available, accessible, and affordable nationwide.

The meeting was reportedly attended by representatives from the media, civil society organisations, farmers’ associations, agro-allied businesses, development partners, donor agencies, and various government institutions.