President Bola Tinubu has taken decisive action by declaring a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria. The announcement was made by Presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, during a briefing with State House correspondents on Thursday.

In a move aimed at prioritizing the availability and affordability of essential livelihood items, President Tinubu directed that all matters concerning food and water be included within the jurisdiction of the National Security Council. This directive aligns with the administration’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society.

Alake emphasized that President Tinubu is fully aware of the escalating cost of food and its impact on citizens’ finances. As part of the emergency measures, the President also ordered the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal.

According to the President, there is an urgent need for collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee year-round food production. In line with this vision, President Tinubu expressed plans to establish a National Commodity Board responsible for continuously assessing food prices and maintaining a strategic food reserve. This board will act as a price stabilisation mechanism for critical grains and other food items, allowing the government to moderate fluctuations in food prices.

To effectively implement these measures, President Tinubu has enlisted the support of various stakeholders, including the National Commodity Exchange (NCX), Seed Companies, National Seed Council and Research institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Food Processing/ Agric Processing associations, private sector holders & Prime Anchors, smallholder farmers, crop associations, and Fertilizer producers, blenders, and suppliers associations.

Recognizing the importance of protecting farmers and farmlands, the President vowed to engage the country’s security architecture to ensure a safe environment for agricultural activities. Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to play a vital role in funding the agricultural value chain.

President Tinubu also revealed that 500,000 hectares of land have already been mapped to expand the availability of arable land for farming. Furthermore, the administration aims to increase revenue from food and agricultural exports, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global market.

With the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, President Tinubu’s administration is taking proactive measures to address the challenges faced by Nigerians. By prioritizing food availability, affordability, and agricultural productivity, the government aims to improve the lives of its citizens and ensure a sustainable future for the nation’s food supply.