By Joy Onu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s rice industry amid growing concerns that smuggling is undermining local production and threatening the country’s food security.
The Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a meeting with the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), where stakeholders discussed challenges affecting the nation’s rice value chain.
Speaking during the meeting, Enoh stressed that the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s rice sector depend on stronger collaboration between government, industry operators and private sector stakeholders.
He noted that ensuring stability in the sector requires coordinated efforts across the value chain, adding that the Federal Government remains committed to guaranteeing the availability of rice nationwide while keeping prices affordable for consumers.
The minister, however, expressed concern over the increasing influx of cheaper foreign rice into the Nigerian market, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to local producers and investors.
According to him, rice smuggled into the country and sold at significantly lower prices undermines domestic production and discourages further investment in local rice processing.
In his remarks, Director-General of the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria, Andy Ekwelem, said large-scale smuggling through Nigeria’s land borders has severely affected the local rice industry.
Ekwelem disclosed that nearly 90 out of more than 150 rice mills in the country have shut down operations, while the remaining mills are currently operating between 30 and 70 per cent of their installed capacity.
Despite these challenges, he noted that the sector remains critical to Nigeria’s economy, providing direct employment for more than 100,000 people and supporting over 10 million farmers across the agricultural value chain.
