President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria.

The directive was made known on Thursday by Presidential spokesman, Dele Alake.

Alake said that the President was aware of the rising cost of food and its effect on citizens. He said that the declaration of a state of emergency was in line with the Tinubu administration’s position on ensuring that the most vulnerable are supported.

The directive also includes the inclusion of all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, within the purview of the National Security Council.

Tinubu said that revenue from food and agricultural exports would be increased.

He also announced the creation of a National Commodity Board, which will review and continuously assess food prices. The board will also maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as a price stabilization mechanism for critical grains and other food items.

The President said that the Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to play a role of funding the agricultural value chain. He also said that 500,000 hectares of land have already been mapped to increase availability of arable land for farming

“There must be an urgent synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is produced all-year round.” the President was quoted as saying.

“We shall create and support a National Commodity Board that will review and continuously assess food prices as well as maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as a price stabilisation mechanism for critical grains and other food items. Through this board, government will moderate spikes and dips in food prices.

“To achieve this, we have the following stakeholders on board to support the intervention effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: The National Commodity Exchange (NCX), Seed Companies, National Seed Council and Research institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Food Processing/ Agric Processing associations, private sector holders & Prime Anchors, small holder farmers, crop associations and Fertilizer producers, blenders and suppliers associations to mention a few.

“We will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.”