The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and 36 state governors have joined forces to tackle rising food prices across Nigeria. After a key meeting with ministers of defence, agriculture, transport, and livestock development, they committed to several coordinated measures:
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Harmonising levies and excise taxes across states
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Removing illegal checkpoints and roadblocks that drive up transport costs
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Improving infrastructure and ensuring smoother movement of goods between states
Despite a drop in headline food inflation to 21.14% in May, down from 40.66% last year, prices remain burdensome. Month-to-month data shows a 2.19% increase in May, underlining persistent pressures, especially in unexpectedly high-cost states that are also major food producers.
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Governors acknowledged findings that food transport bottlenecks—like illegal checkpoints, informal levies, and infrastructure gaps—are driving up costs. A high-level interministerial committee, briefed by the NSA, has submitted recommendations to address these issues.
The governors pledged to work with the federal government to dismantle roadblocks, unify levy systems, and invest in infrastructure to lower logistical costs. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted that states have already invested over $2.2 billion through NG-CARES platforms to support vulnerable households—but they need complementary federal support and action.
This unified effort—backed by both security and economic authorities—marks a significant step toward addressing food inflation, strengthening supply chains, and protecting household budgets during ongoing economic challenges.
