Dolapo Bright, a former Special Adviser on Agriculture to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has criticised the Tinubu administration’s decision to suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on food imports.
Speaking during Sunday’s edition of “Inside Sources” on Channels Television, Bright argued that the policy was based on poor advice and would not address Nigeria’s surging inflation.
Bright highlighted that rising diesel and petrol prices have significantly driven up transportation costs, which in turn have escalated food prices.
Official figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that inflation, which stood at 22.41 per cent in May 2023 when Tinubu took office, soared to 34.6 per cent by November 2024.
Food inflation alone reached 39.93 per cent, up from 32.84 per cent the previous year, driven by rising prices of staples like rice, millet, fish, and eggs.
In an attempt to curb food inflation, the Tinubu administration announced a suspension of customs duties on imported food items in July 2024.
However, the policy has reportedly stalled due to bureaucratic challenges.
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Bright argued that government interventions in agriculture have been counterproductive. “The government is trying to take the lead in agriculture, but that’s not its role. It should create an enabling environment for private sector players to thrive,” he said.
He noted that many farmers are scaling back production due to the high costs of inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and diesel.
While President Tinubu recently announced plans to bring in over 2,000 tractors for mechanized farming, Bright dismissed the initiative as insufficient and misaligned with Nigeria’s needs.
Bright also warned against Nigeria’s reliance on imported seeds, emphasizing the need for seed sovereignty.
He added that Nigeria’s agricultural policies should prioritize food security and rural development, which are critical to addressing broader issues like banditry and insurgency.
