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President Bola Tinubu has reassured citizens that despite the recent surge in food prices, his administration is committed to transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of food to other countries.
The president made this statement on Saturday while hosting the leadership of the Tijanniyya Movement in Abuja.
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He highlighted that the top priority of his administration is to achieve self-sufficiency in food production through substantial investments in the agricultural sector.
Additionally, President Tinubu expressed his readiness to provide low-interest or no-interest loans to farmers, aiming to support their efforts in crop cultivation and boost overall food production in the country.
He stated, “We noticed some problems with hunger. When you see war in Ukraine and many other places, you can’t easily import food. We will be able to feed ourselves.
We are going to cultivate more farmland. We are going to equip farmers with low-interest or no-interest loans. We are going to bring tractors into this economy. We are going to invest in irrigation for this country. Nigeria will become a net exporter of food.”
President Tinubu also addressed challenges in the healthcare system, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to invest in the country’s health infrastructure.
He pledged to provide modern equipment to medical practitioners and underscored his dedication to promoting the welfare of citizens, including the implementation of comprehensive health insurance coverage.
“We are dedicated to equipping hospitals with modern equipment, providing healthcare professionals with training, and ensuring social welfare for every citizen, including comprehensive health insurance coverage,” he added.
The statement comes amidst growing concerns about food inflation in Nigeria, with the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics reporting a food inflation rate of 33.39%.
Despite the government declaring a state of emergency on food security, prices of food items continue to rise. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) projected that approximately 26.5 million Nigerians will be at risk of hunger in 2024, with specific areas like the FCT, Sokoto, Borno, and Zamfara states identified as most vulnerable to food insecurity.
