State Governors and Federal Government Join Forces to Address Food Security and Price Inflation

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has pledged to collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle food security challenges by harmonizing levies, removing illegal checkpoints, and improving interstate goods movement.

This decision followed a meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and key ministers, who briefed the governors on the rising costs of food and livestock transportation.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reading the communiqué, said, “The presentation revealed that the proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation, and poor infrastructure are key contributors to price inflation and inefficiencies in the food supply chain.”

The NSA noted that a high-level inter-ministerial committee has been established to address these concerns and has submitted recommendations for the Forum’s endorsement.

Sanwo-Olu added, “Governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and expressed commitment to collaborate with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorized checkpoints, and improve the movement of goods across states.”

The communiqué also raised concerns about the World Bank’s delay in fulfilling funding commitments under the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, despite states investing over $2.2 billion.

“The Forum emphasized the need for an amicable resolution between the World Bank and participating states to conclude NG-CARES 1.0 before advancing to NG-CARES 2.0,” it stated.