The Federal Government has mandated that only individuals with National Identification Numbers (NIN) can purchase subsidized 50kg bags of rice at N40,000 each. This initiative, which launched with the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice, aims to alleviate the current food crisis in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced during the flag-off ceremony on September 5, 2024, that the rice will be sold on a “one person, one bag” basis. The government views this intervention as a timely measure given the ongoing challenges.
Kyari highlighted that this effort is part of the administration’s broader strategy to mitigate the high cost of food. He also praised other government initiatives, including the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to vulnerable groups.
To ensure fair distribution, a multi-disciplinary task force has been assigned to oversee the process. This includes verifying beneficiaries through NIN and phone numbers to prevent fraud.
Director of Strategic Grains Reserve, Haruna Sule, detailed the purchasing process. Civil servants can use their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) details to buy rice at designated points of sale. Buyers must present their NIN or phone number to receive a code and Treasury receipt, which will indicate the collection point and time. The actual collection will occur separately from the sale location to avoid congestion.
Earlier in July, the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, announced the subsidized rice sale, but the plan was temporarily suspended without explanation.
