Index to Nigerian Newspapers

A Federal Government–backed agribusiness policy committee has recommended the formal closure of Nigeria’s rice import windows, citing easing food inflation and evidence that the country’s rice surplus is driven largely by high import volumes rather than domestic production strength. In 2025, Nigeria imported about 2.4 million metric tonnes of rice, costing an estimated N1.18–N1.26 trillion based on global benchmark prices. Although Nigeria recorded a technically positive food balance and a rice surplus of about 1.1 million metric tonnes, the committee noted that this surplus was sustained by imports, exposing structural weaknesses in local production. Surveys across 13 states showed declining profitability for rice farmers due to falling prices and rising input costs, leading many to scale back production. With food inflation dropping below 14 percent, the committee advised closing import windows and aligning future imports with price-stabilisation measures to protect farmers and strengthen long-term food security.