Tinubu rejects food importation, price control, vows to crack down on hoarding

President Bola Tinubu has declared that he would not approve the importation of food or establish a price control board.

Tinubu stated this on Thursday following a meeting with the 36 state governors, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, National Security Adviser, NSA, and Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, citing concerns about “rent seekers” abusing import systems and undermining domestic efforts.

Also, following reports from Kano State and other areas about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses, the President said during the meeting that he had instructed the NSA, Inspector-General of Police, and Director-General of DSS, to coordinate closely to ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses and take follow-up action.

Tinubu pledged support for Nigerian farmers through various schemes aimed at increasing food production.

He also highlighted the importance of implementing livestock development plans, promoting dairy farming and other initiatives.

“We cannot allow speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers to undermine our efforts in ensuring that food is widely available to all Nigerians,” Tinubu vowed on X.

The President posted: “I will not establish a price control board, nor will I approve the importation of food. We must extricate ourselves from this predicament because importation only enables rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense.

“Instead, we will support our farmers with schemes that encourage them to cultivate more food for the nation. We must also rapidly but thoughtfully implement our livestock development and management plans, including diary farming and others, “