Nigeria will receive approximately 25,000 tonnes of wheat from warring Ukraine, with the federal government designating Port Harcourt as the destination.
Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.
Mr. Abubakar revealed that the Rivers State capital had been chosen as the hub for the 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat expected from Ukraine, as Russia extends its grain supply to the country through a United Nations arrangement.
He explained that the wheat shipment from Ukraine is at sea.
According to the agriculture minister, the hub will generate economic activity in the area.
Ukraine exported 6.9 million tonnes of wheat as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with 20% going to African countries. Nigeria will receive approximately 1.8% of this.
2.67 million tonnes of wheat, or 43%, were transported to the poorest countries and those with lower-than-average incomes.
The grain initiative will allow Ukraine to maintain its position as a leading agrarian nation, as well as allow Ukrainian farmers affected by the Russian war, which began more than a year ago, to sow and receive income from their harvest.
On July 22, 2022, the grain initiative was launched, with the first bulker carrying Ukrainian food commodities leaving the port of Odesa on August 1.
