Nigerian Government Blames Middlemen for Food Scarcity

The federal government of Nigeria has accused commodity middlemen and hoarders of worsening food scarcity by purchasing produce directly from farmers, storing it in sealed warehouses, and selling it at high prices. During a media briefing on Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted that this practice hampers access to food for marketers and consumers.

He recalled instances where security agencies had to forcibly open warehouses in Kano due to stockpiling. Idris questioned the patriotism of those involved, arguing that their actions undermine government efforts to improve food availability.

He emphasized that Nigerians have a collective responsibility to support government policies. The administration of President Bola Tinubu is addressing these challenges by releasing reserves and storing commodities in smaller silos.

Additionally, Idris discussed rising petrol prices, noting that they are not unique to Nigeria and are influenced by developments in the Middle East. He clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is reducing its profit margin to alleviate the impact of rising prices on consumers.