(Security): Nigeria's Embattled President Tinubu Declares State of Emergency over Food

Nigeria’s embattled President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate action to curb rising food prices and ensure sustainable food security, a measure he described as a 'food emergency'.

The President has also announced the distribution of N8,000 ($10) monthly to 12 million of the most vulnerable Nigerians for the next six months when the food programme would have provided the necessary assistance.

Dele Alake, the Presidential Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, said on July 13, 2023 that Tinubu's interventions were meant to have an immediate impact on the most vulnerable Nigerians.

"As a hands-on leader who follows developments across the country on a daily basis, Mr President is not unmindful of the rising cost of food and its impact on citizens. While availability is not an issue, affordability is a major concern for many Nigerians in all parts of the country,” Alake said.

"This has led to a significant drop in demand, thereby undermining the viability of the entire agricultural and food value chain."

To curb the trend, the president announced the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, among other measures.

He said all matters relating to the availability and affordability of food and water were now under the purview of the National Security Council.

The President said further initiatives would be taken in the coming weeks to reverse the inflationary trend and ensure an uninterrupted supply of affordable food to ordinary Nigerians in the future.

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