The Good Governance Advocates of Nigeria (GGAN) has commended President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, for their efforts in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
In a statement by its national president, Comrade Gideon Unazi, the group hailed the administration’s commitment to economic growth and positioning Nigeria as a key player in regional and global food markets.
According to Unazi, the shift from subsistence farming to a thriving agribusiness ecosystem is a crucial step in empowering farmers and fostering private sector-led growth.
He noted that recent policies, including the state of emergency on agriculture and temporary tariff suspensions on essential food imports, have yielded positive results.
Unazi added: “The collaboration with international development institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also been instrumental in driving growth in the agricultural sector.
“The lifting of the ban on food imports across land borders, the firming up of the Naira, and the reported pausing of bulk grain purchases by the UN and US agencies for IDP camps have all contributed to the recent decline in food prices.
“The election of Kyari as Vice Chairman of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a testament to Nigeria’s leadership in global agricultural transformation.
“This recognition is a clear indication that the country is on the right path towards achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development.”
Unazi further highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in distributing over 2.1 million bags of fertilizers to farmers and providing food aid to flood-affected communities, initiatives that have significantly boosted productivity and provided relief to vulnerable populations.
On the impact of these policies, the GGAN noted:
“The recent decline in food prices is a significant achievement, with prices of some grains crashing by as much as 40% in the past few weeks.
“The prices of beans, yam, rice, tomatoes, and garri have all declined, ranging from 10% to 70%. This trend is expected to continue, bringing relief to millions of Nigerians who have been struggling with high food prices.
“According to reports, major raw food items have seen a notable drop in cost. Al Jazeera reported that the prices of some grains fell by as much as 40% in recent weeks, while BusinessDay highlighted a decrease of up to 70% for tomatoes and 23% for imported rice.”
The GGAN commended President Tinubu and Kyari for their leadership and vision in agricultural development, urging the administration to sustain its efforts in driving economic growth and reducing poverty.
“We also call on all stakeholders to support the government’s initiatives aimed at achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development. With the current trend of declining food prices, we are optimistic that Nigeria is on the path to becoming a food-secure nation,” the statement concluded.
