In a renewed effort to tackle the nation’s deepening food security crisis, the 36 state governors of Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively with the Federal Government. This decision was announced following the latest Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting held in Abuja.
The governors, in a communiqué signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and read by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted their collective resolve to harmonise levies across states, eliminate illegal checkpoints, and ease the movement of food and goods nationwide.
Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the forum extensively discussed the soaring food prices in the country. During the meeting, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, along with the Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation, presented findings on the major factors fueling the cost of food and livestock transportation.
According to the NSA’s briefing, the proliferation of illegal checkpoints, extortionate and unregulated taxation practices, and poor transportation infrastructure are key contributors to rising food prices and inefficiencies in Nigeria’s food supply chain. A high-level inter-ministerial committee, already established to address these challenges, has submitted a set of recommendations for the governors’ endorsement.
The state leaders expressed their urgent concern and pledged to partner with federal authorities in dismantling unauthorized checkpoints, aligning state-level levies, and improving logistics for food distribution, all aimed at stabilising prices and increasing food accessibility across the country.
Additionally, the forum addressed the status of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, following a presentation by the World Bank. The governors voiced serious concerns about the World Bank’s unfulfilled funding promises under the NG-CARES 1.0 initiative. Despite significant financial commitments from states—amounting to over $2.2 billion—and verifiable impacts reaching more than 17 million Nigerians, the forum noted that the disbursement of pledged funds has not been met.
The governors emphasized the need for a fair resolution between the World Bank and the participating states to close out the first phase effectively. They also called for strengthened collaboration as the country prepares to transition into NG-CARES 2.0, which is aimed at building long-term economic resilience for vulnerable households and businesses.
This coordinated approach between the states and federal government signals a united front in addressing both immediate and structural challenges to food security and economic stability in Nigeria.
