The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the commencement of the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to citizens at a subsidized price of ₦40,000 per 50kg bag. The initiative, aimed at addressing the ongoing food crisis, will only be available to buyers who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The rice will be sold strictly on a “one person, one bag” basis to ensure equitable distribution.
Kyari explained that the flat rate of ₦40,000 for the 50kg bags is part of the government’s broader effort to provide relief amid rising food prices. He praised the administration’s commitment to supporting Nigerians during these challenging times, citing other initiatives such as the release of 42,000MT of Assorted Food Commodities (AFC) to vulnerable citizens.
“This food intervention is timely given the challenges we face as a nation. It is one of the many efforts of the present administration to cushion the effect of the high cost of food commodities,” Kyari said.
To prevent misuse and ensure transparency, a multi-disciplinary government task force has been established. Buyers will be required to verify their identity through various methods, including their NIN, phone numbers, and in the case of civil servants, their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) details.
Kyari emphasized the importance of these verification measures, stating, “The process is designed to prevent individuals from obtaining more than one 50kg bag, ensuring that the rice reaches as many citizens as possible.”
He urged Nigerians to cooperate with government agencies to facilitate the smooth distribution of the rice. He further noted that injecting 30,000MT of rice into the market is expected to reduce the price of not only rice but also other food substitutes.
Haruna Sule, Director of the Strategic Grains Reserve at the Ministry of Agriculture, outlined the steps for purchasing the rice. Civil servants can access the grains at designated sales points by using their IPPIS details, while other citizens can verify their eligibility with their NIN or phone numbers.
“To qualify for the one person, one bag policy, you must have a National Identification Number. For civil servants, their IPPIS details can also be used. Once verified, the system will generate a code number and Treasury receipt,” Sule explained.
After receiving a Treasury receipt, buyers will proceed to a collection center to pick up their rice. The receipt will indicate the time and location for collection to avoid overcrowding. Sule added that the sales points and collection centers are separate to streamline the process.
“At the collection point, you present your code to our officials, and you will be handed a bag of rice,” Sule said, clarifying the procedure.
This initiative follows the announcement in July by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, regarding the sale of subsidized rice. At that time, civil servants were instructed by the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs to register for the purchase of the food item through its Human Resources Management Department.
However, the government later suspended the plan without explanation, leading to delays in the rollout of the rice distribution. The current initiative aims to fulfill that earlier promise while providing immediate relief to Nigerians
The Federal Government’s rice intervention is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on Nigerian households struggling with the high cost of food. With strict verification processes in place and a focus on transparency, the government hopes this program will reach those most in need while stabilizing the price of rice and other staple foods across the country.
