President Tinubu Faces Pressure to Abandon Food Import Waiver Policy Amidst Hunger Crisis
President Bola Tinubu’s administration is reportedly facing mounting pressure from private sector stakeholders to reconsider the food import waiver policy introduced in July 2024, citing threats to local production and rising unemployment.
The waiver, announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, on July 10, 2024, suspended duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas for 150 days, aiming to curb soaring food prices and ease hunger.
However, multiple sources within the presidency have revealed that organized private sector groups, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), have voiced strong opposition, warning that the policy could undermine local agricultural investments and job security.
A source from the presidency, speaking anonymously, confirmed the tension, stating, “The real reason the government is slowing down the waiver implementation is the need to protect local companies. Many local groups have urged the government to focus on boosting domestic production rather than relying on imports as a solution.”
The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has argued that increased food importation would flood the market with cheaper alternatives, making it difficult for local producers to compete, potentially leading to business closures and job losses.
Segun Kuti-George, National Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, described the policy as a “double-edged sword.”
“The food import waiver could lower prices and alleviate hunger temporarily but at the risk of harming local manufacturers who cannot match the prices of imported goods,” Kuti-George explained. “What’s important is to weigh the long-term benefits against the risks. This waiver seems more like a short-term fix rather than a sustainable solution.”
The Tinubu administration now faces the challenge of balancing short-term hunger relief with the long-term stability of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and job market. While the policy aims to address immediate food shortages, critics argue that sustainable local production support remains the key to lasting food security.
