President Tinubu Takes Strong Stance Against Food Importation Amid Rising Insecurity and Hardship
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a decisive move, declared his opposition to food importation and the establishment of a price control board during a crucial meeting with the 36 state governors held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting addressed pressing issues, with a focus on the escalating insecurity and the severe hardships faced by Nigerians due to the soaring cost of food commodities. In response to these challenges, President Tinubu emphasized the need to boost local food production as a strategic measure.
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During the meeting, attended by key figures including Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the director general of the Department of State Services (DSS), President Tinubu outlined his commitment to finding home-grown solutions to tackle the nation’s food security challenges.
In a tweet shared on his official X account, President Tinubu stated, “My administration is dedicated to evolving home-grown solutions to tackle our nation’s food security challenges head-on, including setting up schemes to bolster local food production and cut out all forms of rent-seeking tied to food importation.”
This declaration comes in contrast to the earlier government hint at establishing a National Commodity Board as a potential solution to the country’s food inflation crisis. President Tinubu’s decision underscores a shift towards self-sufficiency and a determination to address the root causes of food insecurity within the nation.
In a related development, journalist Uloma Onyemachi recommended palliative distribution as a valuable strategy for mitigating food insecurity in Nigeria.
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Writing in an op-ed, Onyemachi, a fellow of African Liberty, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts involving governmental and non-governmental entities, as well as research centers, to achieve sustainable food self-sufficiency.
President Tinubu’s stance signals a bold step towards reshaping the nation’s approach to food security, emphasizing the importance of domestic production over reliance on imports, as Nigeria grapples with the intertwined challenges of insecurity and economic hardships.
