The Federal Government has commenced the sale of subsidized rice to the general public today (Monday), as part of efforts to address the skyrocketing prices of the staple food across the country. An official from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security confirmed the start of the initiative, which aims to cushion the impact of food inflation on Nigerians.
The price of rice, which has reached as high as N90,000 per 50kg bag in some states, has caused widespread concern. This initiative follows the recent distribution of subsidised rice to civil and public servants. The government is now extending the exercise to the broader public, with a promised subsidised price of N40,000 per 50kg bag.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, had earlier acknowledged the severe challenges facing the nation’s food security during the launch of the rice distribution in August. He highlighted several global and local factors contributing to rising food prices, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate change.
“We are all aware of the factors driving food prices,” Kyari said, noting that the government has released 30,000 metric tonnes of subsidised rice to help alleviate the pressure on citizens. However, despite this effort, reports from various regions indicate that rice prices remain far above the N40,000 target.
In Kaduna, civil servant La’ah Dauda expressed frustration, saying, “There’s no news of rice being sold at N40,000 per bag here. Rice is sold at about N80,000 per bag in the southern parts of Kaduna.”
A senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture disclosed that the initial phase of sales had been limited to civil and public servants due to their ability to provide the necessary documentation, such as identity cards and National Identification Numbers. Sales points were set up at the Head of Service office, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that sales to the general public would begin on Monday. “Now that many civil servants have benefited, we are moving to the general public,” the source said.
Notices circulated over the weekend indicated that the public sale would commence today, raising hopes that more Nigerians will finally have access to the subsidised commodity.
However, across several states, rice prices continue to soar. In Bayelsa, a farmer reported that the price of rice ranges from N95,000 to N110,000 per bag. In Lagos, the price per bag has reached N90,000 to N95,000, while in Kogi State, the cost has exceeded N100,000.
Nigeria’s food inflation crisis has deepened, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting that food inflation hit 40.87 percent in June 2024, up from 25.25 percent in June 2023. The rising cost of basic commodities like millet, garri, guinea corn, yam, and palm oil has further exacerbated the situation.
Associate Professor Unekwu Onuche of the University of Africa, Bayelsa State, described the government’s palliative measures as short-term fixes. “Palliatives are like first aid. They offer temporary relief, but the pain remains until something concrete is done,” Onuche said, calling for long-term strategies to improve food security.
As the subsidised rice sales begin, many Nigerians are eager to see whether the government’s promise of N40,000 per bag will be fulfilled, providing much-needed relief from the country’s ongoing food inflation crisis.