Sir: The federal government had in 2023 granted import waivers for staple and other essential food items. The food items which were exempted include maize, husked brown rice, grain beans, wheat, and millet. The aim of import waiver was to mitigate the high cost of food items in the Nigerian markets by making essential food commodities more affordable to citizens. The policy was to run from July 15, 2024 till December 31, 2024.
Between the period under review, the prices of goods and services have, notably crashed thus making them more affordable to Nigerians. Indeed, the waivers have undoubtedly done magic towards bringing down the prices of food. In many grains markets in the northern states and the country at large, the price of bag of maize currently goes for N35,000, and a 50kg bag of rice for N85,0000 while bag of beans cost N80,000.
Nigerians will recall that the price of food also skyrocketed during the last administration. President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the closure of borders to promote and protect indigenous companies. The policy was also meant to encourage local food production. Thereafter, local farmers were fully supported with capital, seedlings subsidised fertilisers and farm implements. The Buhari agricultural policy made many farmers rich overnight, although the prices of goods and services also shot through the roof.
Conversely, the Tinubu administration’s import waiver crashed the prices of goods and services but has since forced our local farmers to compete unfavourably with imported goods. Today, there are hues and cries among the local farmers that unless succour comes to their way, they may incur losses due to the high cost of production this farming season. The price of urea fertiliser has reached between N47000 and N50,000, while NPK 15.15 is sold for N65000 and above.
If import waiver on rice, maize and other staple grains is not reviewed, the import is that local farmers will not be able to recover their production cost let alone post profits. This will have a negative repercussion as many farmers will stay off the farms next year.
To address this situation, the government should dialogue with farmers to understand their perspectives and challenges. There is the need to support local production. This involves policies that incentivize local grain production, such as subsidies, access to credit, and investment in agricultural technology. Implementing steep tariffs on imported grains should protect local farmers and encourage consumers to buy local produce.
Government should move to ensure quality control. There is the need for imported grains to meet certain quality standards. This can help to maintain consumers’ confidence in local products and encourage purchase from local farmers. Moreover, facilitating better access for farmers to markets can help them to get fair price of their products and reduce the impact of imports on their livelihoods. Our local farmers need adequate education and training. Providing farmers with resources and training can improve productivity and help them to compete more effectively and favourably with foreign goods.
By putting right policies, local farming, which provides millions of jobs, helps to eradicate poverty and promote food security, can be encouraged and saved.
Rampaging gunmen on Monday night reportedly attacked Bindi-Jebbu of Tahoss community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least no fewer than 27 farmers, including men and women.
The Nation reports that many persons were also injured in the attack and were rushed to hospitals, including Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau Hospital and other health facilities within the state.
The National President of Berom Youth Moulder – Association (BYM), Dalyop Solomon, confirmed the incident to reporters in Jos.
He said the gunmen stormed the community on Monday, shooting and setting houses ablaze.
He said: “Twenty-seven persons were killed and many were injured. We have taken the bodies to hospitals. “
Solomon said a date for their burial would be announced.
Security agencies, including Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and the police command are yet to issue any statement on the situation.
Spokespersons for Operation Safe Haven and the police command, Major Samson Zhakom and DSP Alabo Alfred did not respond to messages sent to them at press time.
The Chairman of Riyom Local Government, Bature Shuwa, confirmed the incident, but could not give the casualty figure at press time.
Plateau State Government has expressed deep sorrow over the attack.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said: “Plateau State Government is deeply saddened by the unfortunate attack on Bidi (Jebu) community of Tahoss village in Riyom Local Government Area on Monday, 14th July, 2025, which led to the loss of lives and properties.
“This senseless act of violence by yet to be identified gunmen is strongly condemned and unacceptable.
Government sympathises with the families of the victims and all those affected by this tragic incident.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and bring the perpetrators to justice through additional deployment of troops.
“Government is appealing to the people of Bidi, Sopp and surrounding communities to remain calm, be vigilant, avoid any form of retaliation, report any suspicious activities to authorities and cooperate with security agencies.
“Security remains our collective responsibility, and government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens”
, saying he was on his way to the attacked community.
Nigerian farmers have been challenged to pivot towards smart agricultural investments and high-return projects, moving away from crops with lengthy gestation periods. This call to action came from, Chief Executive of Soilless Farm Lab, Mr. Samson Ogbole during his address at the “BIC Soilless Concept Master Class on Hydroponics and Agribusiness Management” held recently in Ogun State.
Ogbole, a renowned advocate for modern agricultural practices, emphasised that the traditional approach to farming, often characterised by long-term crops and susceptibility to environmental vagaries, no longer offers the most viable path to sustainable profitability for many Nigerian farmers. He stressed the urgent need for a shift in mindset, urging farmers to adopt a more business-oriented perspective that prioritises efficiency, rapid turnover, and consistent income generation.
“We must begin to think like entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector,” Ogbole stated emphatically, addressing a diverse audience of aspiring and established farmers, agronomists, and agribusiness enthusiasts.
“Our goal should be to maximize every naira invested, ensuring that our efforts translate into tangible, quick returns that can sustain our operations and improve livelihoods.”
He highlighted the significant potential of cultivating vegetables through controlled environments, particularly greenhouses, as a prime example of a high-return venture. “Vegetables grown in greenhouses offer a remarkably fast return on investment.Unlike some staple crops that might take several months or even years to mature and yield profit, many vegetables can be harvested within weeks, providing a continuous income stream for farmers,” Ogbole explained.
Ogbole elaborated on the numerous advantages of greenhouse cultivation, including protection from unpredictable weather patterns, pests, and diseases, which often decimate open-field crops. He noted that the controlled environment of a greenhouse allows for optimal growing conditions, leading to higher yields, superior produce quality, and the ability to cultivate crops year-round, irrespective of the season. The consistent supply, he added, gives farmers a significant advantage in the market, allowing them to capitalize on off-season demands and fetch premium prices.
According to him, “The future of Nigerian agriculture lies in adopting innovative technologies and business strategies that prioritize efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. By embracing smart investments, particularly in areas such as greenhouse vegetable cultivation, we can secure a prosperous future for our farmers and the entire agricultural sector.”
The “BIC Soilless Concept Master Class” provided attendees with practical knowledge and insights into hydroponics and agribusiness management, aiming to empower Nigerian farmers with the tools and understanding needed to transition towards more modern, profitable, and resilient farming models. Ogbole’s remarks served as a powerful call to action, inspiring participants to explore new frontiers in agriculture and seize the opportunities presented by smart, high-return investments.
The Bauchi State Government has reduced the price of fertiliser (NPK 20:10:10) from N35,000 to N20,000, a 42.8% cut, to make it more affordable and accessible for farmers across the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed announced the subsidy at the weekend during the flag-off of the 2025 wet season farm input distribution at Gajin Duguri.
He described agriculture as a vital pillar of the state’s economy and encouraged more youths to embrace farming, assuring them of continued government support.
In a bold move to promote food security, the governor revealed that civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below would now enjoy two days off weekly to engage in farming activities.
“Last year, we provided farm inputs to civil servants on loan, and I must commend their honesty in repayment,” he noted.
Governor Mohammed also disclosed plans to invest about N45 billion in strengthening the state’s fertiliser blending plant, in partnership with Moroccan agro-industrial giant OCP.
The upgraded facility is projected to produce 45 tonnes of fertiliser per hour.
To further aid mechanised farming, the government has procured 20 tractors already distributed across the 20 local government areas, with an additional 40 to be made available to farmers on loan later this year.
The governor added that soil samples have been collected statewide to determine the most appropriate fertiliser blends and crop choices, as part of a broader scientific approach to boost yields.
He also announced that 1,000 youths have been deployed for training in modern agricultural techniques, with plans to engage more in collaboration with the federal government and willing NGOs.
Digital infrastructure serves as a strong foundation upon which economies thrive and makes inclusive societies possible. From powering e-governance systems to enabling digital commerce, connectivity has become a basic necessity. In Niger State, fibre optic projects spanning from 2009 to 2024, offer a lens into the evolution of its digital public infrastructure (DPI). In this report, JUSTINA ASISHANA examines the development, geographical spread and socioeconomic impact of these projects while identifying challenges and recommending strategies for the future.
Abdullahi Musa, a farmer in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State has been trying to get buyers for his maize, sorghum and yam which he had harvested through the internet as directed by some of his counterparts in Suleja.
However, each time he tries to join the various groups he had been directed to, his mobile screen keeps indicating “No Network.” He has also tried to check for the latest market prices for his yams, but he experiences the same network challenge.
This is the challenge that Abdullahi and other farmers in some rural areas in Niger State face. Their incomes and ability to maximise the benefits of modern farming practices in an increasingly digital world are impacted negatively.
From 2009 to 2024, 21 applications for fibre optic laying were approved by the Niger State Urban Development Board; a reason that made fibre optic cables crisscross the urban areas, bringing with them opportunities for growth and innovation.
However, as urban centres such as Minna and Suleja flourish, rural areas such as Mariga, Mokwa, Munya and Katcha remain cut off and unable to reap the benefits of digital connectivity. Many rural areas are underserved or entirely disconnected, limiting access to DPI in these regions.
This rising digital divide limits agricultural productivity and market access, leaving farmers such as Abdullahi at a disadvantage.
Without connectivity, he misses out on opportunities to access real-time market prices, which gives rise to the reliance on intermediaries who come to buy his farm produce at lower prices, cutting him and others off from the opportunity to make maximum profit on their produce.
The ability to create digital platforms using Internet connectivity and different platforms or apps can help farmers connect directly with their buyers to send the produce, monitor it and get paid.
“Sometimes, I sell my yams at whatever price the traders offer because I don’t know the actual market price,” Abdullahi explained.
“If I had a better Internet, I would negotiate better. Sometimes when I meet my friends in the city and we compare the prices at which I sold my produce and how much they sold theirs, I realise that I have been shortchanged,” she further said.
Rukayyat Umar, another farmer in Wushishi, goes to the Beji Market every market day. She said that most often, some of the buyers who come from outside the state ask her why she doesn’t sell her produce online, and she always cites low internet connection as part of the reasons.
“There was a time I engaged in that. I tried sending pictures of what the face of the millet and rice looks like, but it took time. I had to leave my house and walk down to one part of the street before the picture could go through WhatsApp. When it was time to receive the payment, I did not get the alert, and my bank mobile app was not working because there was no network. I had to go to the bank to confirm the payment,” she lamented.
Fibre optics and Right of Way in Niger State
Providing reliable internet service to communities depends heavily on investing in infrastructures such as fibre optics. It is a way of sending information through a transparent optical fibre in the form of a pulsed beam of light.
The light travels through the core of the fibre, the inner transmitting cylinder, surrounded by a reflective cladding to prevent any light from escaping. These optical fibres can be manufactured from plastic but, more often than not, are made from silica glass, with each less than a 10th of the thickness of a human hair. Fiber optics is used for Internet, cable television and telephony.
For fibre optic cables to be laid in any state, the organisation would need to apply for the Optic Fiber Right of Way (RoW) permit which is a necessity under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning law. In Niger State, the organisations can apply online or manually.
Until September 2 last year, the fee paid for Right of Way in Niger State was N145 per linear meter.
While approving the zero-fee Right of Way, the Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago said telecommunications infrastructure is critical for the socio-economic development, even as he said that it would enhance the implementation of e-governance initiatives; making public services more accessible and efficient and promoting social equity by ensuring that all regions of the state benefit from reliable connectivity.
The governor also noted that eliminating the right-of-way fee will accelerate digital inclusion and lead to expanded network coverage, especially in rural and underserved areas, pointing out that it would give more room for a more favourable business environment that supports economic growth.
The Head of Digital Skills and Services of the Nigeria Communications Commission, (NCC), Hauwa Wakili who spoke to Fellows of the Media Foundation for West Africa Digital Public Infrastructure said that broadband penetration is still at 42 per cent as of October 2024; saying that the government is working towards achieving 70 per cent target broadband penetration under the national broadband plan by this year.
She pointed out that digital identification systems, payment systems and seamless data exchanges are based on the availability of extensive network infrastructure which is achieved by the presence of fibre optics while the non-presence of fibre optics cable can cause delays in deploying necessary network coverage, speed and efficiency of identity verification processes, slow down the adoption of cashless payment systems in underserved areas, slow data transfer rates and reduced accessibility to digital services.
Apart from the high RoW fees, Wakili also noted that the vandalism of critical telecommunications infrastructure has been a significant menace to the telecommunications and information infrastructure in Nigeria over the years.
“In 2023 alone, NCC-sourced data revealed that the country recorded over 24,000 incidents of fibre cuts, vandalism and theft which led to losses exceeding N14 billion in revenue and N15.4 billion in repair costs. These and other security challenges have impacted broadband penetration and service quality,” she said.
The way forward: A call for inclusion
The disparity in digital infrastructure is not an unsolvable problem. Several strategies could bridge the gap between urban centres and rural agricultural hubs.
According to an agro scientist, Alhassan Mohammed, future fibre optic projects would need to target key farming areas such as Wushishi, Mokwa, Bida, and Kontagora to enable farmers to access the tools and resources they need to thrive by connecting these regions.
“There is also the need to provide digital literacy programmes for farmers so that they can be literate enough to utilise digital tools to improve productivity and market access,” Mohammed said.
For Abdullahi, the dream is simple: to farm smarter, sell better and secure a brighter future for his family. With the right investments in internet access, this dream can become a reality—not just for him, but for every farmer in Niger State.
Rural women farmers should be well funded to enable them contribute more to agric production, an expert has said.
The expert, Dr. Ndudi Bowei Bowie, who is the Consulting Partner, International Centre for Environmental Health and Development, explained that the funding women get is very small compared to what it should be.
Rural women farmers, according to her, should be funded well based on the challenges they have, noting that climate change brings in more challenges for women farmers.
Bowie stated this at the meeting for the Grassroots Driven Climate Action by Rural Women Farmers in Nigeria, CSOs, NGOs consulting advocacy forum in Abuja.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, (FMAFR) and the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) have introduced digital identity cards with multiple wallets for farmers and other Nigerians to boost food security, and increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
According to the government authorities, the development was in tandem with the National Identity Number (NIN) enabled farmer registry and Government 2 people (G2P) card initiative.
“This project is designed to address the Federal Ministry’s immediate challenges of identity and authentication, required to deliver government services efficiently and accurately,” the government said on Thursday in a statement.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Joel Oruche and the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke.
They said the initiatives aligned “with the government’s commitment in improving transparency, efficiency and ensuring inclusivity under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, of which food security is a primary objective”.
“Its aim is to eradicate the challenges of FMAFS in efficiently delivering well-intended government programmes to the targeted citizens,” they added.
Speaking on the benefits, the government said: “By adopting this card, FMAFS is able to uniquely identify all farmers, provide multiple agriculture services through the card in a manner that eliminates risks and fraud and also provide end to end visibility within the agriculture value chain thus enabling scalability.
“Agriculture services to be provided through the card include farmer financing, input distribution, farmland mapping linked to identity, extension services monitoring & evaluation and agency banking as well as multiple types of third party services.”
The statement reads :”To this end the FMAFS, guided by Mr President’s circular on the use of National Identification Number (NIN) by all MDAs in the provision of government services to beneficiaries, has partnered with NIMC to leverage the National Identity Management System to power the Ministry’s farmer registry by the linkage of the NIN and attendant biometric identity data of each farmer to their farmland, as well as all necessary supporting data relating to that farmer, including the size of the holding, type of crops or livestock.
“Connecting this NIN-backed registry to the G2P card will thereby allow for provision of targeted and ring-fenced aid to the farmers and other recipients of government benefits under the FMAFS programmes.
“The G2P card ecosystem is an initiative that allows for the issuance of NIN-enabled cards by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and enables the use of the card’s frontend by these MDAs for their respective programmes.
“The key feature of the ecosystem is a biometrics card with multiple wallets that can provide verifiable identification and also process transactions without internet connectivity, allowing the Ministry to support beneficiaries in the most remote locations.
“The card is unique to each citizen, and every Nigerian and legal resident is eligible to obtain it, banked or unbanked. The G2P card will be owned by and personalised to each MDA that adopts its usage.
“Within this framework, NIMC will provide the foundational identity ecosystem to FMAFS, who as the owner of both the farmer registry and G2P card scheme will provide government services via the issued G2P cards, tailored to the needs of the farmers supported by the Ministry at the national and sub-national levels.
“The G2P card has a large capacity in-card chip that stores beneficiary identity, know your customer (KYC), picture, and fingerprints. In addition, it has two applets and several wallets dedicated to multiple types of programmes, which provides needed flexibility and channels for multiple interventions to be implemented against the same unique identity.
“This flexibility is required to address infrastructure challenges limiting identity verification and digital evidence of beneficiary access when implementing government programmes.
“The G2P biometric cards are processed through a bespoke but interoperable biometrics Point of Sale (PoS) acceptance device, which requires biometrics to access and operate.
“This technological approach allows the Ministry to better deliver services and programmes in any location regardless of infrastructure challenges. The card will operate as a digital wallet/ prepaid card and it is tailored for government transactions such as subsidies, loans, welfare disbursement, pensions and other activities carried out by FMAFS.
“NIMC’s role is to provide the ecosystem with foundational biometric identity in the NIN to ensure that the card and its attendant benefits are linked securely and accurately to the beneficiary and the beneficiary only. FMAFS retains their statutory rights and ownership of data generated.
“With the G2P ecosystem, any programme implemented by the Ministry can now be administered independently and showcased through digitally enabled dashboards displaying key data on how each programmes have been efficiently implemented or otherwise.”
One key element of the Federal Government’s 2025 budgetary plan that should excite farmers across the country is the allocation of N132bn to support the country’s beleaguered farmers. And the reason is simple: far from being another line item in the agriculture ministry’s budget, this allocation is actually going into a special purpose vehicle of the Federal Government – the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) – established with the sole objective of addressing those familiar challenges that have hobbled the agricultural enterprise. In this, the Federal Government surely has its heart in the right place.
From the general outlines of the budget, the N132bn allocation is expected to address such age-long challenges as low productivity in general and lack of access to credit/finance. Also, it is expected to result in improved seedlings through targeted interventions, in addition to grants and subsidies for mechanised equipment, storage facilities, and modern farming tools.
That the government considers these issues as challenges to be tackled headlong without which its advertised quest for sustainable farming practices, increased crop yields, and improved access to markets would remain a mirage is merely stating the obvious. Yet, the question remains as to the extent to which the fund can go in addressing the problems, given their complexity and widespread nature. In fact, the temptation is to see the allocation as amounting to a mere drop in the ocean.
If there are any lessons to learn from the past years’ experiences, the problems usually have little to do with the quantum of resources allocated; rather they have more to do with poor prioritisation of activities and wastefulness by the implementation agencies. In fact, it does not even require a deep scrutiny into the operations of most of the budgets of ministries and extra-ministries to detect a disturbing pattern of abuses – from over-sized bureaucracy to excessively large overheads, all of which together end up consigning operational issues into a distant third place.
Today, if Nigerians have become keenly aware of the linkages between the open-ended larceny associated with the serial interventions by the Godwin Emefiele-led leadership of the CBN in the recent past and the nightmares currently driving the country and citizens to the edge, it is only in the background of the subversion of the multi-purpose interventions that characterised that era.
Our expectation is that NADF will live up to its promise of being a truly transformational agency for the sector. And just in case the Fund needs any reminding, it is that time is of the essence as the country cannot afford any tardiness or lethargy. And if we may restate the obvious, the N132bn allocation is no small money; it is not expected to be spent as the Fund pleases. And as against the familiar tradition of a needlessly expansive bureaucracy, what we expect to see is a compact, service-oriented agency dedicated to its primary mission of empowering farmers by ensuring access to critical resources, such as improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and market opportunities.
And while at it, it is important that the Fund sees itself primarily as an agency for catering to the needs of Nigeria’s farming population; not to the palates of some greedy bureaucrats. In the same vein, we expect the National Assembly, through its appropriate committees, to periodically monitor and track the utilisation of the funds when finally appropriated.
What Nigerians want to see by year’s end are concrete deliverables in terms of the numbers of the farmers impacted by way of farming inputs and credits they are able to access and, indeed, their overall productivity.
The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, in collaboration with Proteintrail technology, Real People Concept and other stakeholders has trained ruminant farmers on digitalisation of livestock farming.
The ruminant farmers day out and exhibition with the theme: “Sustaining Livestock resilience in changing times: Innovation collaboration and growth for the ruminant sector”, was aimed at bringing livestock farmers, feed mill producers and other stakeholders in livestock value chain together to share ideas, experience and challenges.
Speaking at the event at Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, the founder and CEO of proteintrail technology, Muritala Bamgbala said digitalisation of livestock industry would gradually stop the farmer’s herders clashes.
He said the digitisation would birth a system whereby both sellers and buyers and other stakeholders in livestock industry could be properly monitored.
Bamgbala added that Nigeria has not been able to tap into the livestock export market because of lack transparency and traceability of players in the industry.
According to him, the digital solution would give established institutions opportunity of knowing the history of the livestock they wish to buy.
He said,: “Meat inspection act started in the United States in 1906 where no one can sell meat to the public without a health certificate from a relevant authority.
“Certification of livestock across abattoirs in Nigeria has always come in a hard copy, livestock digitalization will prevent fake meat certificate and encourage transparency.
“The western world had these problems over a hundred years ago; hence, these laws were established. If ranches are encouraged nationwide, where livestock ear tags will have QR codes with IDs for both antemortem and post-mortem information, Nigerians will soon say good buy to cattle rustling and farmers-herders clashes.”
Managing Director, Real People Concept, Tunmise Olagbaju, reiterated that livestock industry in Nigeria, especially ruminant has great potential that has not been maximized.
He added that the exhibition would enable ruminants farmers to come together to have a voice, gain necessary attentions, learn and network together to achieve more.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Mr. Idris Abiola-Ajimobi said government has commenced work on a robust master plan that would provide a platform for ruminants farmers in Nigeria to thrive.
He added that government through the ministry of livestock development and office of the senior special assistant to president on livestock development would continue to engage with ruminants farmers in order to proffer lasting solution to the challenges facing the sector.
He expressed readiness of the current administration to support innovative technology that would bring sustainable development in livestock sector.
The event featured paper presentations, awards, lectures and visitation of the booths of participants.
Other notable companies at the exhibition include Adva feeds, Animal Care limited and SAT integrated Farms.
Farm produce worth over N20 million were stolen by invaders and thieves at Iwaji Ekiti under Efon Local Government, concerned agric-businessmen have said.
The farmers, who have acquired over 300 acres in Efon Alaaye and its enviros under the council, raised the alarm over incessant invasion of their warehouse/stores and theft of farm products at Iwaji Ekiti on Efon Alaaye – Ipole Ekiti road.
They said the thieves bring motorcycles and vehicles to the farms where they cart away farm produce.
According to the farmers, these suspected invaders and thieves may be migrants from Benue State, who are said to be scattered in Ekiti towns and villages in search of menial jobs.
In the last five years, some professionals have returned home to farm.These agric-businessmen are cultivating at Efon Alaaye council and warehouse in Iwaji on Ipole-Iloro Road.
A farmer, Ganiyu Jimoh, a building engineer, told reporters ‘Professionals in Farming’ are discouraged to expand.
“We urge security agents to track the thieves and bandits so the culprits can be brought to book.”
