The Federal Government has launched a coordinated effort with state governors to dismantle barriers in the food supply chain and strengthen local security systems, amid growing public concern over soaring food prices and worsening insecurity.
The move follows a meeting between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), and key federal officials, where urgent steps were outlined to address inflationary pressures, curb unlawful checkpoints, and support community-based security initiatives across the country.
The 36 state governors pledged to work closely with the Federal Government to harmonise levies, dismantle illegal checkpoints, and ensure the free flow of food and goods across Nigeria.
At the heart of the governors’ discussions was the urgent need to streamline Nigeria’s fragmented internal trade environment and adopt community-based security frameworks to reinforce federal efforts.
Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State, who chairs the APC Governors’ Forum, noted that both the PGF and the NGF had jointly agreed to adopt a state-level security structure to support national security initiatives.
“We reviewed the prevailing security architecture and reached a consensus on the urgent need to adopt the long-advocated State security system as a complement to federal efforts,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu had visited Benue State, where he condemned the recent massacre of over 200 people in Yelewata community.
The President, during his visit on Wednesday, ordered the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and pledged stronger federal support to curb insecurity.
Insecurity remains a major factor behind Nigeria’s deepening food inflation, with frequent attacks on farmers, disruption of supply routes, and high transportation costs continuing to push food prices beyond the reach of many households.
Although Nigeria’s national food inflation rate appears to have declined to 21.14% in May 2025 from a staggering 40.66% in May 2024, the drop is largely technical, driven by a change in the base year used for calculating inflation.
It was learnt that month-on-month, food prices continue to rise, with May recording a 2.19% increase compared to 2.06% in April.
Critically, many states recording the highest levels of food inflation are also among the country’s top agricultural producers, exposing a troubling disconnect between local production and consumer affordability.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, staple items like yam, cassava, pepper, and maize remain costly across many regions.
In a communiqué presented by Babajide Sanwo-Olu Governor of Lagos State on behalf of the NGF, the governors expressed concern that illegal taxation, bad roads, and the proliferation of checkpoints were compounding the food crisis.
“The Forum received a briefing from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, along with ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation, on the rising cost of food and livestock transportation.
“The presentation revealed that the proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation, and poor infrastructure are key contributors to price inflation and inefficiencies in the food supply chain”, Sanwo-Olu said.
He further disclosed that an inter-ministerial committee has submitted recommendations to address these issues, with the governors pledging full support.
“Governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and expressed commitment to collaborate with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorised checkpoints, and improve the movement of goods”, he added.
The communiqué also raised concerns about the World Bank’s failure to fulfil its funding commitments under the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
Despite an investment of over $2.2 billion by state governments through the NG-CARES platforms, benefiting more than 17 million Nigerians, the governors said the first phase of the programme remains incomplete due to delayed disbursements.
“The Forum emphasised the need for an amicable resolution between the World Bank and participating states to conclude the first phase of the programme before moving to NG-CARES 2.0, which is designed to build long-term resilience for vulnerable households and enterprises,” the communiqué read.
Meanwhile, Uzodimma reiterated the readiness of governors to implement lawful, state-based security structures while awaiting further measures from the Federal Government.
Citing success in Imo State, he said proactive deployment of community-level security mechanisms had helped to improve response and rebuild public confidence.
“Our resolve is unwavering, and our duty to the people remains our highest calling,” he affirmed.
