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Nigeria should not be importing food – Edun
By Francesca Hangeior.
Nigeria is set to drastically reduce its dependence on food imports, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who outlined a bold strategy to boost domestic agricultural production and increase food security.
Edun, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to mark the country’s 64th Independence Day declared that the era of heavy food importation must end, positioning this shift as a cornerstone of the government’s economic recovery plan.
“We should not be importing food,” Edun stated, stressing that Nigeria’s future lies in self-sufficiency.
The government, he said, was committed to supporting small-scale farmers by providing critical inputs like seeds and fertilizer under schemes such as the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme.
The support will focus on enhancing both the wet and dry season harvests, reducing the need for imports in the short term while boosting productivity in the long term.
As an immediate measure, the government has ordered maize and wheat imports to stabilise the food market.
However, Edun stressed the importance of balancing this with domestic production.
“It is critical that we do not disrupt domestic production of food. It is critical that we do not disrupt farming in Nigeria by flooding the market with imports,” he warned.
As Edun made clear, the shift from food imports is not just an economic necessity but a critical step toward Nigeria’s future self-sufficiency.
“This is not where we should be,” he said of the country’s reliance on imported food. The new strategy, he argued, will put Nigeria on the path to economic independence and food security.
Edun’s remarks came as Nigeria grapples with rising food prices and a struggling agricultural sector that produces significantly lower yields than global standards.
The government’s long-term goal is to more than double agricultural productivity through improved local seedlings and better farming practices.
The drive to boost agriculture forms a key part of a broader economic overhaul, as the country also navigates the impact of the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, was among the twenty eminent Nigerians including seating governors of four states who were honoured by the Verbatim Magazine at the Late General Yaradua Centre recently.
He was recognized by the investigative journal for excellence and quality leadership in legislative performance for year 2024 based on his contributions in the plenary of the House of Representatives, the number of Bills and motions he has sponsored so far.
Professor Nnamchi was last year rated the most performing legislator from the southeast by the authoritative organ of the National Assembly, “The Order Paper” which evaluates the work rates of the legislators annually.
As at the end of March, 2025, the lawmaker who represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives has sponsored thirty-six Bills and over twenty impactful motions in the House. Over twenty of the Bills have passed second reading.
Speaking at the well attended Verbatim 13Th Anniversary Lecture delivered by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the magazine Editor, Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, affirmed that the awardees were carefully selected through in-depth evaluation and investigation by its team of editors.
He stressed that the magazine has established itself as a leader in investigative journalism and as such would not be associated with questionable awards that lack merits.
The award recipients cut across private and public sectors’ practitioners, governors, legislators, military officers and journalists all of whom had distinguished themselves in leadership as Trail Blazers in their chosen careers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency has debunked reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced, describing it as ‘fake news.’
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.
“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or the any other official source.” – O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
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