In his national broadcast on Tuesday, commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary, President Bola Tinubu reassured Nigerians that efforts to restore peace and security in the North are progressing, with an expected boost in food production and a reduction in food prices once farmers return to their lands.
During the 7 a.m. address, Tinubu highlighted the success of security operations in the North, leading to the restoration of peace in many communities and the return of thousands of displaced persons. He stressed that stabilizing these areas is a priority for his administration, as it is essential for resuming farming activities, which will help curb the rising cost of food.
“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible,” Tinubu stated. “As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.”
Insecurity and Food Price Inflation
The president’s address comes amidst reports that insecurity, inflation, and climate change have contributed to the surge in food prices across the country. A significant driver of the problem is the farmer-herder crisis in Northern Nigeria. Reports show that between January 2023 and February 2024, at least 690 farmers were killed in Benue State, while 165 farmers have been killed nationwide this year, with 130 deaths recorded in March in Benue alone.
The displacement of farmers and the persistent security challenges have caused severe disruptions in food production, exacerbating food inflation. Data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics revealed that the cost of food surged by 61% between June 2023 and June 2024, from 25.25% to 40.66%.
President Tinubu acknowledged the concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly the high cost of food. He emphasized that his administration is taking multiple steps to mitigate these challenges.
“The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide. My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home,” the president said.
Boosting Agriculture and Mechanized Farming
To further combat food inflation and encourage large-scale agricultural production, President Tinubu commended the efforts of several state governors for their commitment to farming initiatives. He highlighted the role of governors from Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, and Nasarawa States, as well as the governors from the Southwest region, for their agricultural programs.
He also urged other state governments to collaborate with the Federal Government in expanding mechanized farming. To support this goal, the president announced the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council for the establishment of a local assembly plant for agricultural equipment, including 2,000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, and bottom ploughs. This plant, which is expected to be completed within six months, will make vital equipment more accessible to farmers across the country.
“We are playing our part by supplying fertiliser and making tractors and other farm equipment available,” Tinubu added. “Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2,000 John Deere tractors and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the impact of inflation and insecurity, Tinubu’s administration remains optimistic that ongoing reforms in security and agriculture will yield positive results, helping to stabilize the economy and ease the burden on citizens.
