By Charles Pemu ABUJA – Nigeria’s agricultural import bill has reached a staggering N2.22 trillion in the first half of 2025, a 22.65% increase from the previous year. This surge has drawn strong criticism from farmers and agricultural stakeholders who argue that the federal government’s policies are undermining local production and worsening food insecurity.
The criticism is particularly directed at the recent directive by President Bola Tinubu to a Federal Executive Council committee to “crash” food prices. While Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, stated the order is intended to reduce transportation costs and ensure the safe passage of goods, farmers and millers believe the approach is flawed.
Stakeholders Warn Against “Piecemeal” Solutions
Leaders in the agricultural sector have dismissed the president’s directive as an insufficient and unsustainable solution. Kabir Ibrahim, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), noted that while lower transport costs would help, the core problem lies with policies that have depressed local food prices, making it impossible for farmers to afford basic inputs like fertilizer.
Peter Dama, Chairman of the Competitive African Rice Forum, also criticized the government for issuing a public order without consulting with key industry players. He warned that such “pronouncements without engagement” risk alienating private operators and discouraging investment. Dama and others pointed out that a government that fails to provide subsidies for inputs cannot expect farmers to produce at competitive costs.
Beyond importation and price directives, stakeholders also expressed frustration over the delay in the distribution of 2,000 tractors launched by the government in July 2024. More than a year later, none of the tractors have been distributed, with a ministry official stating that the distribution list is still awaiting presidential approval.
The stakeholders also highlighted that even if food prices were to fall, weak consumer purchasing power remains the biggest obstacle. According to Ibrahim, many Nigerians lack the money to buy food, regardless of the price.
Failure of the Duty-Free Import Policy
The sharp rise in imports is a direct result of a 180-day duty-free window introduced in July 2024, which allowed licensed millers to import staple foods without paying tariffs. While the government intended for this to ease food inflation, stakeholders say the policy only led to a flood of imports that depressed local prices, left farmers with unsold produce, and did not significantly improve the affordability of food for a majority of citizens.
The fallout has been severe for local farmers, with the price of maize collapsing from N60,000 to N30,000 per tonne, leaving many unable to recover their production costs. Stakeholders are now warning that if the government does not shift its focus to supporting local production, Nigeria’s reliance on imports will continue to grow at the expense of long-term food security.