Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has cautioned that declining food prices may not be the positive development many Nigerians assume, warning that such a trend could further impoverish local farmers—especially if driven by rising food imports.
Speaking at a recent event, Obi said he was informed that food prices had dropped. While acknowledging that consumers might welcome the relief, he argued that the situation could reflect deeper structural challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“Someone told me today that food prices have gone down,” he said, expressing concern that the reduction may be linked to increased importation of cheaper food items. According to him, excessive imports undermine local production and weaken farmers’ ability to compete.
He maintained that flooding the market with low-cost foreign goods discourages domestic agriculture and pushes farmers further into hardship, ultimately worsening food insecurity in the long run
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Obi stressed that although lower prices may seem beneficial to buyers, the long-term consequences for farmers could be severe, as reduced earnings may discourage production and deepen rural poverty.
He called for policies that protect and strengthen local farmers to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and food security.