Food grains

The 36 state governors of the federation have unanimously agreed to dismantle illegal roadblocks and curb multiple taxation practices across Nigeria in a bid to address rising food prices and inefficiencies in the national food supply chain.

The resolution was reached at the end of a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), which held in Abuja and concluded in the early hours of Thursday.

Reading the communiqué, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the governors recognised the detrimental impact of unauthorised checkpoints and excessive levies on the cost of transporting food and livestock.

“The Forum resolved to dismantle illegal roadblocks and multiple taxes, which have been identified as major drivers of food inflation across the country,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The communiqué was formally signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The meeting followed a briefing by National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who was accompanied by the Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation. The officials provided insight into the inflationary pressures facing Nigeria’s food supply system.

According to the presentation, the proliferation of illegal checkpoints, arbitrary taxation, and deteriorating transport infrastructure were major contributors to the spike in food prices and delays in the distribution of essential goods.

The NSA disclosed that a high-level inter-ministerial committee had been established to address these issues, and its recommendations were submitted to the governors for immediate implementation.

“Governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and expressed commitment to collaborate with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorised checkpoints, and improve the movement of goods across states,” the communiqué read.

Though Ribadu declined to speak with the press after the session, sources close to the meeting noted that the federal government sees the collaboration with state governors as key to resolving logistical challenges and reducing the economic burden on Nigerians.

The emergency meeting was convened amid growing concerns over insecurity and economic hardship, with both state and federal governments facing increased pressure to deliver tangible solutions.