- These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days
President Bola Tinubu has approved the duty-free importation of key food items such as rice, beans, and wheat to alleviate the impact of high food prices that Nigerians have faced since he took office last year.
According to a statement from Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, these measures will be implemented over the next 180 days.
Mr Onanuga, quoting Agriculture Minister Abba Kyari, said President Tinubu approved a “150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities”, including “Maize, Husked Brown Rice, Wheat and Cowpeas.”
Mr Onanuga said not only will the government now allow duty-free import for the private sector for 150 days, the federal government will “import 250,000MT of Wheat and 250,000MT of Maize. The imported food commodities in their semi-processed state will target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country.”
The government also stated that it would launch “The Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee” which would be inaugurated on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 with a view to developing and implementing policies that prioritise livestock development and ensure alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan.”