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President Tinubu Has Ordered Food Prices To Be Crashed Urgently
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given urgent marching orders for the reduction of food prices across Nigeria, in a bold move that has sparked widespread conversations among citizens, farmers, traders, and policy analysts.
The directive, announced after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, is aimed at addressing the rising cost of living crisis in the country, which has been worsened by inflation, insecurity on transport routes, and soaring logistics costs.
With food inflation climbing and Nigerians increasingly struggling to afford basic staples such as rice, beans, garri, maize, and yam, the President’s order has become a major talking point. Supporters hail it as a decisive intervention, while skeptics question how fast the measures will translate into real reductions in market prices.
Rising Food Prices in Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has in recent years experienced consistent increases in the cost of essential food items. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food inflation rose above 40% in several reports released in 2025. The surge has been driven by multiple factors:
High transportation costs due to fuel subsidy removal and rising energy prices.
Security challenges in farming communities, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Weak infrastructure affecting storage and distribution of perishable items.
Market speculation and middlemen activities, which increase consumer prices.
A bag of rice that sold for ₦25,000 in 2022 now sells for over ₦80,000 in many parts of the country. A paint of garri that used to cost ₦500 is now ₦2,500 in some urban markets. For millions of households, food expenses now consume more than half of monthly earnings.
It is against this background that President Tinubu’s urgent directive to “crash food prices” has gained national attention.
Tinubu’s Directive to the Federal Executive Council
Reports from the State House indicate that President Tinubu specifically tasked a special FEC Committee on Food Security to come up with immediate and practical steps to reduce food prices. The President emphasized that food sovereignty is not just about availability but also affordability, accessibility, nutrition, and sustainability.
Key areas of focus in the directive include:
- Safe passage of farm produce: Security agencies are to ensure that food and agricultural commodities move freely across key transport routes. Banditry and illegal levies on highways have been identified as a major reason for price hikes.
- Reduction of logistics costs: Transportation of food items from rural farms to city markets has been flagged as a huge burden. By ensuring smoother passage, the government hopes to reduce these costs.
- Support for farmers: Programmes such as the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and cooperative reforms are expected to boost productivity and stabilize supply.
- Strengthening cooperatives: The government plans to mobilize farmers into stronger cooperatives to help them access credit, share resources, and improve bargaining power in the market.
Government’s Food Sovereignty Agenda
President Tinubu has consistently linked food security with national security. In his words, “No nation can be secure when its citizens go hungry.”
His food sovereignty agenda rests on five pillars:
Availability: Ensuring Nigeria produces enough food domestically.
Accessibility: Guaranteeing safe distribution channels across all regions.
Affordability: Making sure prices are within the reach of ordinary Nigerians.
Nutrition: Promoting healthier food options beyond staples.
Sustainability: Encouraging modern farming techniques to boost long-term productivity.
The urgent order to reduce food prices is therefore part of a larger strategy that aims to protect Nigeria from overdependence on food imports and speculative market practices.
Reactions From Nigerians
The President’s directive has generated a wide range of reactions across the country.
Farmers’ Perspective
Many farmers expressed cautious optimism. A maize farmer in Kaduna said:
“If government can really guarantee safe passage of our goods, it will help us. Many of us are afraid to move produce because of bandits and multiple taxes on the road.”
Another rice farmer in Ebonyi added:
“We welcome any plan that reduces cost of fertilizer and makes transport safer. But we need to see real action, not just talk.”
Traders’ Concerns
Traders in urban markets noted that they often face harassment from transport unions and security checkpoints, which add to food costs.
A trader in Mile 12 Market, Lagos, remarked:
“Sometimes, a single truck of tomatoes pays up to ₦150,000 in illegal fees on the way. If that stops, prices will surely come down.”
Citizens’ Voices
On social media, Nigerians have been actively debating the announcement.
One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Good move by Tinubu, but we want results, not promises.”
Another said: “Let the price of rice crash to ₦30,000 per bag first, then we will clap.”
Others expressed skepticism, warning that market forces may resist sudden price crashes without effective monitoring.
Analysts’ Opinions
Economic analysts believe that while the directive is bold, achieving an immediate crash in food prices will not be easy.
Dr. Olufemi Adebayo, an economist at the University of Ibadan, explained:
“Prices respond to both demand and supply. If insecurity is reduced and logistics costs are lowered, yes, we will see some decline. But to use the word ‘crash’ is very ambitious. It will take months, not weeks.”
Another analyst, Hauwa Yusuf, added:
“Nigeria needs investment in storage and processing. Without that, farmers will keep losing produce after harvest, and scarcity will drive prices up.”
Challenges Ahead
While the government’s resolve is clear, several challenges remain:
- Security of rural farmers – Banditry and herder-farmer clashes continue to disrupt farming.
- Inflationary pressures – The overall economy is battling high inflation, which affects input costs such as fertilizer and fuel.
- Market monitoring – Preventing middlemen from hoarding and inflating prices requires strong regulatory oversight.
- Public trust – Nigerians have heard promises in the past, and many are waiting to see visible results before believing.
International Comparison
Nigeria is not alone in facing food inflation. Other African nations, including Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia, have also witnessed spikes in food costs due to global supply chain disruptions and climate impacts. However, some have managed to stabilize prices through subsidies, storage facilities, and targeted support for farmers.
Experts argue that Nigeria can learn from these models but must adapt solutions to its unique challenges.
What Nigerians Are Expecting
Ordinary Nigerians want immediate relief. The expectation is not just policy announcements but real change in the market stalls. If the President’s directive succeeds, Nigerians should see:
Lower cost of staples within months.
Safer roads for farmers and traders.
Reduced burden of illegal levies on transporters.
More government support programmes for rural communities.
Failure to deliver could increase frustration, given the already high cost of living.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s order to crash food prices urgently marks one of the strongest interventions by his administration to tackle the food inflation crisis. While the announcement has been met with hope, skepticism, and debate, its success will depend on how quickly the policies translate into real change on the ground.
For now, Nigerians are watching closely. Markets remain tense, traders are waiting for clearer instructions, and households are praying for cheaper food items to ease daily struggles.
The coming weeks will determine whether this directive becomes a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against hunger and inflation—or just another political statement.
