FG Suspends Import Duties on Essential Food Items to Combat Hunger Crisis

In response to the escalating hunger crisis in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced an immediate suspension of import duties and taxes on essential food items. This decision addresses the growing concerns over soaring food prices and the severe economic challenges millions of Nigerians face.

Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, shared the news during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting the government’s commitment to easing the financial strain on citizens. “We recognize the hardship caused by the high cost of food in our nation, and we are determined to take decisive action to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry,” he affirmed.

By suspending import duties and taxes on essential food items, the government aims to make these commodities more affordable for consumers, significantly lowering importation costs. This initiative is especially important given the ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria, which has severely disrupted the food supply and contributed to a food inflation rate exceeding 40%.

The decision has garnered widespread praise, including from Dele Oye, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture. He described it as a positive step that will alleviate Nigerians’ financial burden and help combat the hunger crisis.

Nevertheless, some experts caution that this measure alone may not suffice to eliminate hunger in Nigeria by 2030, as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They advocate for a more comprehensive strategy, including investments in agricultural mechanization, irrigation system improvements, and transportation infrastructure enhancements to ensure the timely delivery of harvests to the market.