Nigerian Senate Amends Bill to Impose Jail Term for Maize Exporters

The Nigerian Senate has amended the Maize Export Prohibition Bill to introduce a mandatory one-year imprisonment for individuals found guilty of exporting unprocessed maize in large quantities. This decision, taken on Wednesday, is aimed at addressing Nigeria’s ongoing food crisis.

Originally passed by the House of Representatives and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence, the bill seeks to prohibit the exportation of unprocessed maize or its derivatives in large commercial quantities. Following deliberations at the Committee of the Whole, the Senate approved the amendment through a majority voice vote.

The amended bill stipulates penalties for those who attempt or succeed in exporting unprocessed maize—whether in grains, on cobs, fresh, or dry—in quantities of one metric ton or more. Convicted offenders face either imprisonment for one year, a fine equivalent to the value of the goods exported, or both. The legislation also extends liability to customs officers or individuals who facilitate such exports, subjecting them to the same penalties.

While leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the bill’s importance in curbing maize exportation and alleviating the country’s food challenges. Bamidele described the legislation as straightforward, noting its smooth progression through the legislative process in the House of Representatives. Minority Leader Abba Moro supported the bill’s presentation.

During the session, Senator Garba Maidoki of Kebbi South proposed an amendment to exclude maize derivatives—such as corn flour, cornmeal, and cornstarch—from the bill’s provisions. He argued that restricting derivatives could unfairly burden farmers and disrupt local value chains. This proposal was seconded by Senator Aminu Abbas of Adamawa Central.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, endorsed the removal of derivatives, highlighting the job creation potential of value-added processing within the agricultural sector.