The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an intervention to ease the burden of rising food prices by flagging off the sale of 30,000 metric tons of rice at a subsidized rate.

The initiative is expected to make a 50kg bag of rice available to Nigerians for N40,000.

During the flag-off ceremony held in Abuja, Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, outlined the details of the subsidy program.

Kyari stated that to ensure fair distribution and prevent fraudulent access to the rice, beneficiaries will provide relevant identification, such as the National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers.

He said the verification process aims to mitigate the risk of multiple claims by individuals.

In July 2024, the Federal Government had previously announced a plan to sell staple foods, including rice, at a subsidized rate of N40,000 per 50kg bag. The initiative is a response to the escalating food prices, which have been a source of financial strain for many Nigerians.

The subsidy program is expected to introduce 1,000 trucks, each carrying 30 metric tons of rice, into Nigeria’s food supply chain. This increase in available rice is anticipated to drive down prices dramatically, providing much-needed relief to consumers.

To access subsidized rice, individuals must meet specific criteria set by the government. The Minister stressed that the process involves rigorous checks to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution.

The “one person per bag” policy is designed to prevent any misuse of the subsidized rice and ensure that the benefits reach as many people as possible.

In addition to this, the Human Resources Management Department of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has been instructed to manage the registration of civil servants for rice sales through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).