The Federal Government has stated that it is expanding its subsidised rice programme to alleviate food insecurity in Nigeria, with sales set to launch in Lagos, Kano, and Borno states.

This was made known by a director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security stated on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari had announced the launch of the N40,000 per 50kg subsidised rice in Abuja in the early parts of September.

According to him, the initiative was part of a broader strategy to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed without food.

He added that the subsidised rice programme will provide relief to citizens amid soaring market prices.

The current market price of a 50kg bag of rice is about N90,000. It is close to N100,000 in some other locations.

He said: “As I speak with you now, we are going to activate Lagos and Kano states for the sales any moment from now. Borno State is also going to be addressed."

Reacting to the recent claim that the rice sales in the Federal Capital Territory had been halted, he stated: “We have not even gone anywhere; how can we stop? The sales are ongoing, and we are actively engaging with other states.”

Another official at the ministry said civil servants in Abuja, especially around the federal ministries have been benefiting from the sales of the subsidised rice.

He however added that there had been challenges with coordination and public cooperation at the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation centre where the rice was being sold.

“We opened the NAIC centre to see the cooperation of the public, but they proved very difficult to control,” the official explained.