Food price cut: Nigerian farmers slam Tinubu for encouraging rice, maize imports

Nigerian farmers have raised concerns over the takeover of imported rice and maize in the country’s markets at the expense of locally made grains.

Farmers expressed their frustration in separate statements on X, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy is killing local cultivation of maize and rice.

The development came as rice and maize prices dropped across Nigerian markets nationwide.

Farmers have attributed the reduction in the price of rice and maize to the surplus import of the products into the country.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government in July last year announced a 150-day import waiver for rice, maize, and other staple foods.

The policy had resulted in a drop in the prices of food, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said in his declaration of first-quarter revenue.

It was originally designed for July to December 2024 and has led to a drop in some food items.

A market survey found that a 50-kilogramme bag of rice costs N65,000 to N68,000, and maize sells for N35,000 to N37,000 per bag, while foreign ones cost N83,000 per bag.

This has reduced the profit margin for local rice and maize farmers, resulting in advocacy against the products’ continued production in Nigeria.

Worsening the situation is the surge in the price of fertilisers, which has resulted in increased cost of production and has further compounded bottom-line price issues.

Speaking on the development in an interview with our correspondent, the Lead City University in Ibadan, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, said favourable imports of rice and maize cause oversupply in the market and would impact local farmers who struggle to compete with imported goods.

“The concerns of Nigerian farmers regarding the surge in imports of grains like maize and rice are quite valid. When government policies favour imports, it can lead to an oversupply in the market, which often drives prices down and negatively impacts local farmers who struggle to compete with imported goods.

As a solution, Oyedokun urged the Nigerian government to address concerns raised by Nigerian farmers.

“To address these complaints, it’s important to engage in a dialogue with farmers to understand their perspectives and challenges. Considering the following points can be beneficial:

“Support for Local Production: Advocating for policies that incentivize local grain production, such as subsidies, access to credit, and investment in agricultural technology, can help level the playing field.

“Import Tariffs: Implementing or increasing tariffs on imported grains could protect local farmers and encourage consumers to buy local produce.

“Quality Control: Ensuring that imported grains meet certain quality standards can help maintain consumer confidence in local products and encourage purchases from local farmers.

“Market Access: Facilitating better access for farmers to markets can help them get fair prices for their products, reducing the impact of imports on their livelihoods.

“Education and Training: Providing farmers with resources and training on modern agricultural practices can improve productivity and help them compete more effectively.

“Ultimately, a balanced approach that considers both the needs of consumers and the sustainability of local agriculture is essential for long-term food security and economic stability in Nigeria. Listening to farmers and involving them in the decision-making process can lead to more effective policies that benefit everyone,” he told newsmen.

The reports said that in June 2025, headline inflation dropped to 22.22 percent, but food inflation rose to 21.97 percent.