FG Expands Rice Subsidy Programme to Three More States

In a bid to combat food insecurity and reduce the impact of rising prices on Nigerians, the Federal Government has announced the expansion of its subsidised rice sales programme to Lagos, Kano, and Borno states. This follows the successful launch of the initiative in Abuja earlier in September.

The subsidised rice programme, which offers a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000, significantly lower than the market price of N90,000, is part of the government’s strategy to ensure food accessibility for all Nigerians. The programme, overseen by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is expected to provide 30,000 metric tonnes of rice, equivalent to approximately 1,000 trucks.

A senior official from the ministry, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed the imminent rollout in the three states, stating, “We are going to activate Lagos and Kano states for the sales any moment from now. Borno State will also be addressed.”

Responding to reports suggesting a halt in the rice distribution in Abuja, the official clarified, “The sales are still ongoing, and we are actively engaging with other states to expand the initiative.”

In Abuja, the programme has primarily benefited civil servants, particularly around federal ministries. However, officials acknowledged challenges in managing public demand at the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) centre, where large crowds and difficulties with maintaining order had complicated the distribution process.

“Some people tried to sabotage the system by purchasing rice for resale at higher prices, which defeats the purpose of the subsidy,” one official noted. Despite these issues, the government remains committed to ensuring low-income earners can access affordable rice through the programme.

The rice subsidy is a critical part of the government’s broader efforts to tackle the growing food crisis, driven by inflation and the weakening naira. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation rate surged to 37.52% in August 2024, exacerbating the strain on household budgets.

In addition to addressing food insecurity, the government is focused on boosting domestic food production. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, emphasised the need for self-sufficiency during a recent press briefing, stating, “We should not be importing food. Nigeria’s future lies in local production, and we must not flood the market with imports.”