“Food Prices Have Dropped By 50% Since 2023” – Agriculture Minister Kyari Challenges Nigerians To Check Data

• Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari has claimed that prices of some essential food commodities have fallen by up to 50 per cent compared with their 2023 levels.
• He urged Nigerians to compare current prices of items such as rice and maize with their prices in 2023 rather than politicise the cost-of-living crisis.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has claimed that prices of some essential food commodities have dropped by as much as 50 per cent compared with their 2023 levels.

Kyari made the claim on Monday, October 5, in Maiduguri, Borno State, while speaking at a Community of Practice Meeting involving commissioners responsible for agriculture, health, environment and rural development from across the country.

The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Borno State Government, with support from the German government, to discuss measures for strengthening food production and food security.

According to Kyari, the Federal Government’s focus is on increasing food production, improving affordability, strengthening rural economies and building a more resilient food system.

He attributed the reported reduction in the prices of some commodities to expanded delivery of agricultural inputs, investment in rural infrastructure and support for smallholder farmers.

Kyari urged Nigerians to assess the government’s performance using available data rather than politicising the rising cost of living.

“Let’s be honest, how much was a bag of rice and maize in 2023, and how much is it now? What is the percentage? Let us not play politics with these things,” he said.

He said the meeting would also consider the Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Declaration and its 2026–2035 Strategy and Action Plan, which covers areas including food production, investment, financing, nutrition, trade, inclusion, climate resilience and governance.

Kyari added that Nigeria had developed and validated a 10-year National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan as part of its commitments under the framework.

The minister’s claim has sparked reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning which food items have recorded the reported reduction and others sharing their experiences of current food prices.

Reactions

S Marcus Lawal: Oga one thinning tuber of yam in my area is 3 000 naira. Pepper n egg to eat never been added oooo

Seedorf Princewill: Oga mention the particular food that the price dropped?

Adebanjo Adebayo: Na you reduce am?

Aigbu Iria Richard: What was the price before your President came into power?

Victor Levin: When u politicized positions that should be occupied by experts and technocrats, u begin to see something like this

Brit Ikpoto: Sometimes they’s no need to argue with em sha, we know sir may Allah bless you for me

Yusuf Abiodun Ibrahim: You say dropped or what? Or should I say it’s just madness

Lima’s Fabrics: Who bi dis one sef?

Adelabi Bhasyrat Wummy: For your mind now you don pass meaning full info… 😔🚶🏻🚶🏻🚶🏻

LAnumunu Eunice: For your own market