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| Abubakar Kyari |
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has stated that prices of some essential food commodities have dropped by as much as 50 per cent across Nigeria when compared with levels before 2023.
Kyari made the remarks on Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, while declaring open the Community of Practice Meeting of Commissioners for Agriculture, Health, Environment, and Rural Development. The high-level meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Borno State Government, with support from the German government. It was held under the theme “Stronger Partnerships for a Food Secure Nigeria.”
According to the minister, the reported price reductions have come alongside expanded delivery of farm inputs, investment in rural infrastructure, and increased support for smallholder farmers.
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“We have seen the reduction of up to 50 per cent in prices of some essential food commodities, alongside expanded input delivery, investment in rural infrastructure, and support to smallholder farmers,” Kyari told participants.
He emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has placed food security at the centre of its national agenda. The minister challenged critics to examine actual market prices rather than politicise the cost of living.
“Let’s be honest, how much was a bag of rice and maize in 2023, and how much is it now? What is the percentage? Let us not play politics with these things,” he said.
Kyari noted that the Maiduguri summit would critically evaluate the Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration and its Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035. The Kampala framework takes a comprehensive agrifood systems approach, prioritising sustainable production, investment and finance, food and nutrition security, trade, inclusion, climate resilience, and stronger governance.
He added that Nigeria has already developed and validated a 10-Year National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan to domesticate these continental commitments.
Context and background
Claims of significant food price reductions have been made by the minister on previous occasions in 2026. Independent data from the National Bureau of Statistics has shown year-on-year declines in the prices of several staple items (including rice, beans, and garri) at different points, though the magnitude varies by commodity and location. Farm-gate prices and consumer prices do not always move in perfect alignment due to processing, transportation, and distribution costs.
The meeting in Maiduguri forms part of broader efforts to strengthen coordination between federal and state governments and international partners on agricultural transformation and food security.
What this means for readers
While official statements highlight progress in production and input support, many households continue to monitor market prices closely. Consumers and traders are encouraged to compare current prices of specific items (rice, maize, beans, etc.) in their local markets against 2023 levels for a clearer personal picture.
The government continues to point to expanded fertiliser programmes, mechanisation policies, and rural infrastructure as key drivers of the claimed improvements.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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