Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture, has reassured Nigerians that the country is not facing an imminent risk of food scarcity, despite some concerns.
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu understands the importance of food security, which led him to declare a state of emergency just two months into his administration.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Abdullahi responded to the fears of food scarcity, stating, “Nigeria is not at risk of food scarcity; it has not been and will never be, by the grace of God.”
He explained that scarcity implies a complete lack of availability, which Nigeria has not experienced. He pointed out that while food economics involves complex macroeconomic factors, the country has not been in a crisis.
The Minister highlighted that, in addition to the food silos managed by the Federal Government, several states have implemented a buffer stock strategy to enhance food security.
He rejected the idea that Nigeria lacks food sufficiency, stressing that as long as people can find a variety of food in markets, there is no cause for concern.
Abdullahi also discussed Nigeria’s progress in rice production, noting that the country is now meeting its rice demand.
However, he mentioned that while local rice production is adequate, Nigerians’ preference for imported rice remains.
He assured Nigerians that President Tinubu is committed to addressing food inflation and stabilizing prices to ensure that every Nigerian can access the food they desire.
