Tinubu tells governors to  support local farmers to boost food production

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday stated that his administration is developing homegrown solutions to address the nation’s food security challenges. 

This includes implementing schemes to support local production and discourage all forms of rent-seeking associated with food importation.

The President made this declaration during a meeting with 36 state governors, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and several ministers at the State House in Abuja.

”From Kano, we have read reports about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses. The National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services should coordinate very closely and ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses with follow up action.

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”We must ensure that speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers are not allowed to sabotage our efforts in ensuring the wide availability of food to all Nigerians. 

”What I will not do is set a price control board. I will not also approve the importation of food. We should be able to get ourselves out of the situation we found ourselves in, because importation will allow rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense. We would rather support farmers with the schemes that will make them go to the farm and grow more food for everyone in the country.

”We must also look at the rapid but thoughtful implementation of our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others,” the President stated.

Tinubu urged the governors to place trust in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the management of the country’s monetary policy, emphasizing the importance of allowing designated institutions to fulfill their mandate effectively.

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He expressed concern that the “cacophony of postulations” regarding the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates was unduly impacting the market negatively.

”Every one of us can not be an expert. If we have given someone an assignment, let us allow them to do it. If they can not do it, then we find a way to quickly get them out of the system,” the President affirmed. 

President Tinubu urged the governors to consistently prioritize the welfare and prosperity of the people in their development programs, assuring them that the federal government will continue to work diligently to enhance the nation’s revenue profile.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for organizing the meeting and affirmed the governors’ dedication to closely partnering with the federal government.