FG Launches N40,000 Rice Sale for NIN Holders

Rice at N40,000 for NIN-Registered Citizens

Kyari stated that the global food system has been severely impacted by...

Federal Government launches subsidized rice sale - 30,000 metric tonnes at N40,000 per 50kg bag, down from N80,000 to N100,000 in the open market.

The Federal Government launched a subsidized rice sale on Thursday, offering 30,000 metric tonnes of rice to Nigerians at a reduced price of N40,000 per 50-kilogram bag.

In contrast, the open market price for a 50-kilogram bag of rice ranges from N80,000 to N100,000, depending on the quality and location.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this historical, all-important and long- awaited inauguration of the sales of 30,000MT of Federal Government-milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50 kilogrammes,” said the minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

NNPC CEO Mele Kyari launched the subsidized rice sale in Abuja on Thursday, announcing that the initiative would be rolled out nationwide.

“This food intervention can be said to be timely considering the times and challenges we are in as citizens of this great nation,” the minister said.

“This kind gesture was made possible at the expense and directives of President Bola Tinubu, who does not want Nigerian citizens to go to bed hungry and, in his wisdom, deemed it important to initiate this food intervention.”

Kyari stated that the global food system has been severely impacted by COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and climate change, leading to distorted food prices and supply chains. He noted that Nigeria is also affected by these global factors, as well as local challenges.

The Federal Government recognizes the potential challenges of selling a staple food like rice during this critical period, Kyari said. To address these challenges, a multi-agency government machinery has been put in place to ensure transparency, wide coverage, and success of the initiative.

Kyari explained that beneficiaries will be authenticated using NIN and phone numbers to prevent multiple purchases by individuals, thereby safeguarding the initiative's integrity and ensuring fair distribution.

“In view of the above, I urge our dear citizens to cooperate with the relevant agencies of government who will try to serve you to achieve this great initiative of government,” he said.

“It is expected that with the injection of 30,000MT (1,000 trucks of 30MT) each of this important staples into Nigeria's food balance sheet.

“It will not only crash the price of rice but also other closer food substitutes and alternatives.”

Haruna Sule, Director of Strategic Grains Reserve, Ministry of Agriculture, announced that civil servants can purchase the grains at designated sales points by presenting their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) number and National Identification Number (NIN).

“Once you have any of these three, you present it to the sales operators and it is logged on the platform that has been created,” he said.

“After this, you proceed to pay electronically with your ATM; once the payment is done, it is linked to the initial sales operator, and it shows that you have paid; then a receipt will be issued with a code number.

“With this code number, you will be issued with a treasury receipt to show you have paid to the government.

“Then, you are given a receipt which shows the point of collection and time of collection; this is to eliminate any form of stampede.”

Sule stated that the National Identification Number (NIN) is the sole requirement for Nigerians to purchase the subsidized rice.