…Decries Bribes, Inflation Impact on Food Prices
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiga, has raised concerns about widespread extortion at security checkpoints, which he says has significantly driven up the cost of agricultural products, particularly meat. Speaking at the Daily Trust 22nd Annual Dialogue in Abuja, the minister revealed that truck drivers transporting cows and other produce encounter an estimated 700 checkpoints nationwide, paying an average of N1.2 million in bribes per trip.
“Our livestock transporters are burdened by these checkpoints manned by state and non-state actors. The exorbitant fees they pay are inevitably added to the cost of the goods, directly contributing to the high cost of meat in the market,” Maiga said.
He called on the government to dismantle these roadblocks, especially those erected by non-state actors, to make food more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.
Maiga further highlighted global and domestic challenges, including flooding and the Russia-Ukraine war, that have exacerbated food price increases. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt innovative agricultural strategies and tackle insecurity to sustain food production for its growing population.
“It’s time for Nigeria to stop talking about potential and start actualizing it. Our agricultural policies must move beyond subsistence farming to ensure large-scale production and market supply,” the minister added.
Speaking at the event, Kabir Ibrahim, National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), criticized the corruption that undermined the Anchor Borrower Programme under the previous administration. He alleged that billions of naira intended for rice and wheat production were diverted by prime anchors, who used the funds to buy rice from the market instead of supporting farmers.
“The programme, which aimed to boost rice production between 2015 and 2016, failed because the real farmers never received the funds. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must ensure transparency in such initiatives moving forward,” Ibrahim stated.
He also urged the government to focus on large-scale dry-season farming and address the persistent farmers-herders clashes that continue to disrupt agricultural productivity.
Mrs. Mira Mehta, CEO and co-founder of Tomato Jos, highlighted the dominance of Chinese expatriates in Nigeria’s tomato paste industry, noting that 95% of tomato paste production in the country is controlled by foreigners.
She attributed high food costs to a combination of insecurity, inefficiency, and heavy reliance on imports. Mehta revealed that 30% of Nigeria’s food spend comes from imports, which strains the economy due to the exchange rate.
“While Nigerians spend two-thirds of their salaries on food, in Kenya, with a similar per capita income, the average citizen spends less than half. To reduce food costs, the government must invest in precision farming technology, create supportive policies, and attract more young people into agriculture,” she explained.
The speakers collectively urged the government to prioritize food security by addressing insecurity, dismantling exploitative checkpoints, supporting farmers, and implementing long-term agricultural policies. Without these measures, they warned, the high cost of food would continue to weigh heavily on the average Nigerian.
