President Tinubu Directs Urgent Measures to Reduce Food Prices Nationwide

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to take immediate action to alleviate the high cost of food in the country, focusing on ensuring the safe and uninterrupted transportation of farm produce across the country. This directive is part of a broader effort to achieve food sovereignty, addressing not only sufficiency but also availability, accessibility, affordability, nutrition, and sustainability. The minister highlighted the President's intention to launch initiatives such as the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and a cooperative reform and revamp program to boost productivity and economic activity at the grassroots level. The workshop for Senate correspondents aimed to enhance reporting on parliamentary activities, focusing on issues, challenges, and responsibilities.

Key Takeaways:

• President Tinubu has instructed the Federal Executive Council to take urgent measures to reduce food prices nationwide, focusing on safe transportation of farm produce.
• Transportation costs are a significant driver of food inflation, making commodities expensive at the point of delivery.
• The President's directive aligns with his broader food sovereignty agenda, extending beyond sufficiency to include availability, accessibility, affordability, nutrition, and sustainability.
• The upcoming Farmer Soil Health Scheme aims to improve agricultural productivity.
• A cooperative reform and revamp program will be implemented to mobilize resources and strengthen grassroots economic activity.
• President Tinubu has shown interest in the cooperative sector as a tool for economic activity generation and improving members' livelihoods.
• Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the need for safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across routes in the country.

Statistics:

• No specific statistics are mentioned in the provided text.
• The President's directive aims to alleviate the high cost of food in the country.
• Transportation costs are a significant driver of food inflation.
• The upcoming initiatives, such as the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and the cooperative reform and revamp program, aim to improve agricultural productivity and economic activity.

Sources:

• Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security (speech at a one-day capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents)
• National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)