Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for importing expired rice and maize into the country. Lawal, a large-scale farmer himself, claims that this move is devastating local farmers and making farming a lost venture.
The Controversy Over Food Imports
The Tinubu administration had approved a 150-day duty-free window for importing maize, husked brown rice, and wheat to combat rising food inflation. The government plans to import 500,000 metric tons of maize and wheat to stabilize food prices. However, critics argue that this policy undermines local farmers and exacerbates the country's reliance on foreign goods ¹ ².
Impact on Local Farmers
Lawal highlighted the stark contrast in prices, saying that last year, a bag of maize could be sold for N110,000, while fertilizer cost N45,000. Today, fertilizer prices have soared to N70,000, yet maize prices have fallen to N65,000. He attributed this imbalance to the government's decision to flood the market with expired imports ³.
Criticism of Government Policies
Lawal also criticized President Tinubu's appointments, arguing that they were politically divisive. He claimed that the Muslims who supported Tinubu have been "alienated," "embarrassed," and "underdeveloped" by his administration. The former SGF revealed that a coalition of northern political leaders is strategizing to remove the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the 2027 elections ⁴.
Conclusion
The controversy over food imports has sparked heated debates about the government's agricultural policies and their impact on local farmers. While the government aims to stabilize food prices, critics argue that the policy may have unintended consequences on the country's food security and economy.
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