Food price crash: Farmers fault FG’s order as agro-imports hit N2.2tn
By Ige Sunday
Nigeria’s agricultural import bill soared to N2.22tn in the first half of 2025, drawing strong criticism from farmers, rice millers, and stakeholders who argue that the Federal Government’s policies are undermining local production and worsening food insecurity.
The stakeholders also criticised the recent order by President Bola Tinubu to reduce food prices. On September 11, 2025, it was reported that Tinubu ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to further crash the prices of food items across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, stated this in Abuja, while presenting a paper at a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists covering the Senate. He said the President’s order would be enforced to further crash prices of food items by ensuring the safe passage of products through various routes across the country.
“I can say it on good authority to you that the President has given a matching order to a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it. On how we are going to promote the safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country.
“We are aware, and I’m sure, as media, you are also aware, there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered. If you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery. So, we are working very hard, and we are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that,” Abdullahi had stated.
But this Presidential directive has sparked criticism from farmers and rice millers, who argue that mere pronouncements cannot override market forces or compensate for poor planning.
“The cost of food will go down if transport costs go down, but that alone is not enough,” the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, explained. “Our farmers are complaining that the prices are so low that they cannot buy fertiliser. The importation has dealt with our farmers.”
Rice millers push back
Chairman of the Competitive African Rice Forum, Peter Dama, faulted the government’s approach, saying it risks alienating private operators and discouraging investment. “The President is dealing with private organisations and companies. You don’t just come out and give an order to crash prices. It doesn’t work that way,”
“At best, the government should have called stakeholders in the transport and agric sectors, discussed with them, and provided subsidies.
Pronouncements without engagement will not work.”
Dama warned that persistent importation and lack of subsidies were forcing many farmers to abandon agriculture. “If you don’t provide inputs and only make pronouncements, farmers will quit. We are not in an autocratic government. Stakeholders must be carried along.”
Tractors still undistributed
Beyond importation and price directives, stakeholders also pointed to delays in mechanisation efforts. In July 2024, the government launched 2,000 tractors to support farmers, but more than a year later, none have been distributed.
Ibrahim said farmers were growing impatient. “The tractors have not been distributed yet. They were launched in July, but up to now, no modalities have been given. We need them to support human labour with machine power.”
An official in the Ministry of Agriculture, who asked not to be named due to the lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, confirmed that modalities for distribution were awaiting presidential approval.
“We are waiting for the presidency. The minister has submitted a distribution list for approval. We expect to flag it off soon. But people must understand that such directives take time because they involve trade, finance, customs, and investment ministries. A technical committee will be set up to address stakeholders’ concerns.”
Purchasing power concern
While the government insists that food price crashes will take time, stakeholders maintain that weak purchasing power remains the biggest obstacle.