The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a new initiative aimed at alleviating the country’s food crisis by selling 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at a subsidized rate of ₦40,000 per 50kg bag.
The announcement was made during a flag-off ceremony held on Thursday, where President Bola Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.
The initiative, which marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to address the soaring cost of food, will see the rice distributed on a “one person, one bag” basis. This measure is intended to ensure equitable distribution and to prevent any potential exploitation of the program.
Kyari highlighted that each 50kg bag of rice is priced at a flat rate of ₦40,000, a move designed to make staple food more affordable amid ongoing economic pressures.
To maintain fairness and transparency, the government has mandated that all buyers present their National Identification Number (NIN) at the point of sale.
A dedicated multi-disciplinary task force has been deployed to oversee the distribution process. This team will be responsible for verifying the identity of each purchaser using NIN and phone numbers.
The measures are aimed at preventing individuals from acquiring multiple bags, thereby ensuring that the benefit reaches as many citizens as possible.
The Federal Government’s approach reflects a broader strategy to manage food security challenges and to support citizens during this period of economic hardship. Through rigorous verification and monitoring, officials hope to maximize the effectiveness