The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of a National Rice Development Council, describing it as an important step toward strengthening food security and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural transformation.
This position was presented at the public hearing on the Rice Council Development Bill, held at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by Senator Mohammed Monguno, said the initiative fits into the government’s broader plan to boost productivity, create jobs, and promote self-sufficiency in food production.
Senator Monguno explained that the proposed council would serve as a central body to coordinate rice development programmes across the country, ensure better policy implementation, and address challenges affecting farmers and processors.
He said the bill demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to providing a legal framework that supports the growth of the agricultural sector and contributes to national economic recovery.
Speaking at the hearing, the National Chairman of the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, Peter Dama, commended the proposed legislation, describing it as a timely response to the sector’s long-standing challenges.
He noted that insecurity, inadequate irrigation, and the absence of mechanised systems continue to limit productivity in the rice industry.
Mr. Dama urged policymakers to promote innovations that support climate-resilient agriculture and renewable energy solutions for irrigation.
He said deliberate investment in research for improved, high-yield seed varieties would help farmers cope with changing weather patterns and increase output.
He stressed that rice is central to both Nigeria’s economy and its food system, providing livelihoods for millions of households and serving as a key item in relief interventions for vulnerable communities.
According to him, the crop contributes significantly to the national GDP and has become a cornerstone of food policy.
Mr. Dama also proposed adjustments to the composition of the council’s governing board.
He recommended the inclusion of financial and development institutions such as the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), the Bank of Agriculture, the Bank of Industry, the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation, and the National Agricultural Development Fund.
He noted that these institutions already play active roles in agricultural financing, unlike the Central Bank of Nigeria, which no longer provides direct funding to the sector.
To strengthen implementation, he suggested that the council establish six zonal offices to coordinate regional programmes and seven technical committees to focus on research, marketing, quality control, rice fortification, and gender inclusion.
He added that these proposals align with the National Rice Development Strategy II (2020–2030) and called for the conversion of the existing Rice Desk in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security into a full-fledged council for improved coordination.
Also contributing to the discussion, Hajia Maryam Lawal of the Women Farmers Advancement Network said the creation of the council would be a major step toward improving opportunities for women and young people in the rice value chain.
Hajia Lawal appealed to the Senate to ensure the bill’s prompt passage, explaining that it would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for domestic rice production and enhance food security.
She recalled that the organisation, in collaboration with other stakeholders including Peter Dama of RIMAN, worked on the bill from 2020 to 2023, when it was passed by the Ninth Senate but did not receive presidential assent before the end of that legislative session.
She expressed confidence that the Tenth Senate would pass the bill again and that this time it would be signed into law.
According to her, the establishment of the council would help drive inclusive growth by ensuring that women and youth have stronger participation in agribusiness and value chain development.
