President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to establish a committee focused on reducing food prices and ensuring the safe passage of agricultural commodities across the country.

The disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, during a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists covering the Senate in Abuja.

According to Abdullahi, the move is part of President Tinubu’s broader vision for food sovereignty and national food security, ensuring that agricultural products are not only available but also affordable and safely delivered to consumers.

“In addressing the high transportation costs of farm produce, I can say on good authority that the President has issued a marching order,” Abdullahi stated.

 “A Federal Executive Council committee is already working on promoting the safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes.”

The minister explained that high transportation expenses contribute significantly to food price increases. 

By reducing the financial and logistical barriers farmers face in moving produce from farms to markets, the government hopes to reduce inflated food costs and ease the burden on Nigerian households.

He emphasised that the initiative aligns with the government’s goal of achieving food sufficiency through availability, accessibility, affordability, and nutritional sustainability.

Abdullahi also revealed that additional agricultural programmes are underway, including the Farmer Soil Health Scheme, which is ready for launch, and reforms in Nigeria’s cooperative sector.

“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a powerful tool for resource mobilisation, economic activity generation, and improving members’ livelihoods,” he said, encouraging journalists to consider forming cooperatives themselves.

Source: Leadership