Nigerians are breathing a sigh of relief as food prices decline, but concerns linger.
Many are calling on the government to sustain this trend, citing the need for affordable food staples.
The citizens are therefore urging the authorities to address insecurity, improve infrastructure, and provide support to farmers to ensure long-term food security.
Some Nigerians are taking matters into their own hands, advocating for community-led initiatives and cooperatives to enhance food production and distribution.
They stress that collective action can help maintain the current price reduction and promote sustainable agriculture practices, ensuring food availability and affordability for all.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has vowed to sustain the decline in food prices through various interventions, including input support, extension services, and mechanisation.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, stated that the programme would focus on providing small holder farmers with affordable, climate-smart storage solutions to cut post-harvest losses valued at over $10 billion annually.
Farmers and agricultural experts are also urging the government to take deliberate and sustained policy actions to maintain the recent decline in food prices.
They emphasised the need for strategic intervention across production, logistics, and market access to guarantee sustainable price relief.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) had also suggested lowering input costs, strengthening extension services, and improving rural infrastructure to sustain production and prevent post-harvest losses.
President Bola Tinubu had since directed reductions in food prices across Nigeria, aiming to ensure safe passage of farm produce, reduce logistics costs, and empower cooperatives.
The government plans to roll out a Soil Health Scheme to enhance crop productivity and strengthen rural farming communities.
In Kaduna’ State, a survey across major marketsA revealed slight reductions in the prices of some essential food items, though traders and experts warn that the relief may be temporary.
At the Kaduna Central market to evaluate claims that the cost of staples had begun to decline.
At the market, a tomato seller, Hauwa Ibrahim, confirmed that the prices of tomatoes and peppers had dropped due to improved supply from rural farming communities.
She said the arrival of fresh harvests had eased pressure on traders who previously bought at higher wholesale rates.
A rice dealer, Musa Abdullahi, reported a mild reduction in local rice prices, although the prices of imported rice remained a unstable.
He said that transport and loading charges were still limiting how much traders can lower the retail prices.
Also, a trader Zainab Bala, said beans and garri were now cheaper than they were in previous weeks because of the increased supply from the South.
She, however, warned that any rise in transportation or fuel costs could quickly reverse the gains.
Buyers gave mixed reactions during the survey, with some expressing relief while others insisted that the prices remained high.
A shopper, Fatima Usman, said maize and vegetables were now more affordable, helping families stretch limited budgets.
Another buyer, Joseph Luka, argued that key staples such as yam and rice remained expensive in spite of public claims of price reductions.
Another buyer, Rahila Danladi called for more government’s oversight, saying that many households were still struggling in spite of the small reductions recorded.
She expressed concern that the current relief may not be enough for low-income families battling rising living costs.
At the Kawo market, a grains trader, Abdulrahman Sule, lamented the constant rise in logistics costs that makes it difficult for the traders to maintain reduced prices.
He said the traders were often blamed for hikes caused by factors beyond their control, such as fuel and haulage costs.
A market association representative, Aisha Sabo, urged the government to curb hoarding by middlemen who sometimes manipulate the supply for profit.
She said stronger monitoring would help maintain fair prices across major markets in the state.
An Economist, Dr Kabir Ahmed of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, said the current drops were largely seasonal and may not continue without targeted government support.
He emphasised the need for improved storage infrastructure to reduce losses that push prices upward during scarcity periods.
Ahmed further recommended investments in rural road networks to lower transport costs and ensure stable supply.
Another economist, Dr Hadiza Umar, stressed the importance of consistent agricultural policies, saying that unpredictable changes undermine market stability.
She highlighted fertiliser access, irrigation support and market regulation as key areas that required government attention.
In Kano State, food prices have also continued to decline across major markets, raising hopes for improved household food security as the residents called on the government to adopt measures that would sustain the trend.
A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at some markets in the metropolis showed significant reductions in the cost of major grains, especially local rice, maize, millet and beans.
A bag of locally processed rice, which previously sold for N70,000, now sells for between N62,000 and N63,000, while the price of maize declined from N58,000 to about N50,000.
Similarly, millet now sells for N48,000, down from N55,000, and beans, depending on the variety, sell for between N65,000 and N72,000, compared to N80,000 two weeks ago.
Also, a bottle of vegetable oil which sales for N2,500 now goes for N2,200 and a packet of pasta which sold for N950 now sales for N800.
A grain merchant, Ibrahim Suleiman, attributed the drop to increased market supply following recent harvests.
“Farmers have started bringing in new produce, so there is surplus in the market. When supply goes up, prices naturally go down,” he said.
Another trader, Hassan Ali, said transportation improvements and reduced cost of fuel had played a major role.
“Transporters are charging less now, and that affects the final price. We are happy with the development,” he noted.
Similarly, residents who also spoke to NAN commended the price reduction but urged authorities to implement long-term strategies that will stabilise prices beyond the harvest season.
Malama Hafiza Garba, a civil servant, emphasised the need for continued support to farmers.
“Government should subsidise fertiliser, provide soft loans and expand irrigation schemes so that production will not rely only on the rainy season.
” That is the only way prices will remain stable,” he said.
