Group hails Tinubu’s food price directive as sign of welfarism

The Executive Director of Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), Mr. Yomi David, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reduce food prices, describing it as a reflection of the welfarism focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, David said the intervention was a crucial step toward strengthening food security and easing the burden on Nigerians facing rising costs of essential commodities.

“Tinubu’s bold and timely directive to crash food prices across Nigeria as part of his administration’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda on food security and national development is highly commendable,” he said.

He added that the move demonstrated responsive and compassionate leadership, stressing that agricultural reforms, rural infrastructure, and smallholder farmer support had remained priority areas under the agenda.

David noted that beyond availability, affordability was key to food security. He said the President’s directive set a precedent for proactive governance in tackling pressing socio-economic challenges.

The TADI director urged Tinubu to strengthen the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Ilorin, to enhance production, reduce post-harvest losses, and drive long-term sustainability.

He also praised the government’s engagement with stakeholders across the agricultural value chain and the planned deployment of food reserves, removal of transport bottlenecks, and measures to curb market exploitation.

“TADI urges all relevant agencies and state governments to synergise with the Federal Government to ensure this directive is fully implemented at the grassroots. Nigerians deserve to see and feel the impact of this renewed hope,” David said.

He further called on the private sector, NGOs, and development partners to support the initiative, stressing that collaboration was vital to achieving food affordability and self-sufficiency.