Tinubu Waives Tax, Import Duties on Maize, Wheat, Brown Rice

Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

Tinubu halts import charges and taxes on brown rice, wheat, and maize.

Nigeria introduces duty-free imports of wheat, maize, and rice to tackle food insecurity and support local processors.

A 150-day period of duty-free imports for certain food items, such as cowpeas, wheat, husked brown rice, and maize, has been approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Additionally, through both land and sea borders, this initiative suspends levies, tariffs, and taxes on certain imports.

On Monday, July 8, 2024, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the statement at a press conference held at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja.

The Presidential Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan includes this measure.

A Recommended Retail Price (RRP) will apply to imported food goods under the new regime.

The minister gave assurances that the government will maintain safety regulations in response to queries regarding the genetic makeup and quality of the imported commodities.

“The government's position exemplifies standards that would not compromise the safety of the various food items for consumption,” he stated.

The Federal Government plans to import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tonnes of maize in addition to the private sector.

These semi-processed goods are meant to help nation-wide small-scale millers and processors.

In elucidating the reasoning behind the endeavor, the minister underscored the pressing need to tackle exorbitant food costs.

“The government could not allow this situation to persist,” he said.

To mitigate the current situation, urgent action is required despite the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, as well as state governments, continuing agricultural programs.

“While there are ongoing agricultural Initiatives, programmes, and projects under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and state governments also have theirs, we must respond to the creeping availability crisis.

“As the government continues to encourage agricultural production on a sustainable and profitable basis for farmers, the time lag between cultivation and harvest makes it inevitable for the government to kick in stop- gap measures that will bring tremendous relief to Nigerians,” he added.

The minister's statement is below;