Rice farmers predict further price drop as Lagos pegs bag at N57,000

.AFAN pledges to boost food production, security in Nigeria

Some Farmers’ associations in Lagos State have predicted a further drop in the price of the commodity ahead of the yuletide following Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s slash in the price of Lagos rice.

The farmers made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently slashed the price of Lagos Rice from N64,000 to N57,000 per bag.

The Vice Chairman All Farmers Association Southwest and Lagos State chapter, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, commended the state government for the strategic move.

Agbayewa said the development would likely bring about competition in the sector, thereby further crashing the price of the commodity.

“The Lagos State Government pegging the price of a bag of rice at N57,000 is a good development.

“And hopefully, we want to believe that with this competitive price and competition, maybe in  one week or two weeks, the price of rice will further drop.

“Presently, the price of foreign rice is between N52,000 and N56,000 and that depends on where you are buying it.

“If you are buying it very close to the border, it comes at N52,000.  If you are buying it from the main market it sells between N54,000 and N55,000 per 50kg bag, the extra cost comes off as transportation costs.

“At N57,000 per bag, consumers are eating quality food. From the production to the milling plants, to the processing, to the shelf, market and consumer, you might be looking at one year,” Agbayewa said.

According to him, if you are looking at the foreign imported rice that sells between N52,000 and N56,000 the consumers may be buying  rice that has been stored for over three to five years or even expired.

“So, if you want to look at price and quality, I think the Lagos rice is good at N57,000, when you buy the Lagos rice you are looking at food safety, nutritional value and everything that it has to offer at that price.

“It is a good buy, I would prefer the Lagos rice at N57,000 than buy cheaper rice with lower quality,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Mr Raphael Hunsa, commended the Lagos State Government for the initiative.

“The government is always on top in terms of policy decisions that affects the people. And  the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu dropping the price of rice is a great move.

“If production is low, definitely the demand will be high and subsequently the price will be high too.

The Lagos State Government pegging a  bag of rice at N57,000 this season is most beneficial to  Nigerias.

“We, however, urge the government to continue to support rice farmers to increase our production and subsequently the price of rice and other staples will continue to drop.

“If we have more rice farmers producing all-year- round, definitely the price of rice will continue to be stable.

“This Christmas is now at our door and everyone will celebrate well with this drop in price,” Hunsa said.

.As AFAN pledges to boost food production, security in Nigeria

The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Muhammad Magaji, has reaffirmed the association’s commitment to creating platforms for collaboration and networking, aimed at driving innovation and achieving tangible outcomes for Nigeria’s agricultural advancement.

Magaji, who commended the focus and determination of the President Bola Tinubu administration in repositioning agriculture and strengthening food production and security, urged farmers across the country to support the effort.

According to a statement released by the association and made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, the new AFAN President spoke during his inauguration at the 2025 National Agricultural Showground along the Abuja–Keffi Road in Nasarawa State.

Magaji’s emergence followed the election of the 27-member AFAN National Executive Council at the association’s congress, in line with a resolution passed by the General Assembly of Farmers.

“We are calling on all members of AFAN nationwide to give us maximum support. The Tinubu-led Federal Government is fully committed to agriculture and the welfare of farmers. All they need is a unified umbrella body of Nigerian farmers,” Magaji said.

He added that AFAN, under his leadership, would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to boost national food production and enhance food security.

The immediate past president, Kabiru Ibrahim, expressed confidence in the ability of the Magaji-led NEC to reposition the association. “I know there is a lot of work ahead, and I know you are capable. I wish you the best of luck and wish the AFAN family successful production and enhanced productivity,” Ibrahim said.

The new AFAN National Youth Leader, Chief Tunde Adeyemi, emphasised the central role of young people in agriculture, saying, “Nigeria’s agriculture is powered by youth — the young farmer who wakes up each morning to cultivate the soil, raise livestock, add value, and sustain the heartbeat of our great nation. Today, we begin a new journey to strengthen that power.”

Adeyemi said agriculture must evolve beyond survival and become a sector of prosperity, innovation and national pride. He pledged that the NEC would expand training opportunities, access to finance, and modern tools such as mechanisation, drones, irrigation systems and digital agriculture, while opening doors for investment, partnership and global collaboration.

He assured young farmers that structures would be established across all states and local government areas to give them a stronger voice, urging state youth leaders and coordinators to cooperate in the collective effort to achieve food sufficiency.

According to the statement, other members of the AFAN National Executive Council include Chief Daniel Okafor (Deputy President 1, Administration); Chief Asuquo E. (Deputy President 2, Operations); Dr Femi Otunba Oke (National General Secretary); and Hon. Hassan Abubakar (Vice President, Liaison and Technical Services).

Others are Alhaji Dauda Bungudu (Vice President, Arable 1); Mr Christopher Aghuno (Vice President, Arable 2); Alhaji Uba Dan Arewa (Vice President, Livestock); Chief Patrick Weridonghan (Vice President, Fisheries); Dr Vitus Enwerem (Vice President, Horticulture); Vincent Amaabai (Vice President, Roots and Tuber); Olumide Ayinla (Vice President, Industrial and Tree Crops); Chief Tunde Adeyemi (Youth Leader, Vice President); Yamusoa Ladi (Women Leader, Vice President); Salisu Muktar (National Publicity Secretary); and Shehu Bello (National Organising Secretary).

The list also includes Musa Damagum (National Financial Secretary); Dr Ignatius Unah (National Treasurer); Prince Bassey Inwang (National Auditor); Mr John Wuyep (National Legal Adviser); Kabiru Muhammed (National Assistant General Secretary); Prince Abiodun Ogunjimi (National Assistant Publicity Secretary); Romanus Eze (National Assistant Organising Secretary); Muhammed Widi (National Assistant Financial Secretary); Nafiu Karaye (Ex officio 1); Alhaji Salihu Adebanyi (Ex officio 2); and Alhaji Suleiman Arakanmi (Ex officio 3).

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