The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina has berated the Federal Government of Nigeria’s plan to allow massive import of staple food to crash prices.
Adesina revealed this to African Primates of the Anglican Church at a Retreat in Abuja, Nigeria at the Weekend.
A week ago, the Federal Government announced that it is suspending duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of certain food items via land and sea borders.
However, Adesina said the decision by Nigeria’s government to allow massive food importation risks destroying the country’s agriculture.
He said, “Nigeria cannot rely on the importation of food to stabilize prices. Nigeria should be producing more food to stabilize food prices while creating jobs and reducing foreign exchange spending, which will further help stabilize the Naira.
“Nigeria cannot import its way out of food insecurity.
“Nigeria must not be turned into a food import-dependent nation.”
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