President Bola Tinubu Thursday declared a state of emergency on food security in the country.
The decision became necessary following the observed food inflation across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.
The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, disclosed this to journalists after a meeting of stakeholders on agriculture and food production value-chain at the State House, Abuja.
He revealed that the president has approved that all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.
He said: “As a hands-on- leader who follows developments across the country every day, Mr. President is not unmindful of the rising cost of food and how it affects the citizens.
“While availability is not a problem, affordability has been a major issue to many Nigerians in all parts of the country. This has led to a significant drop in demand thereby undermining the viability of the entire agriculture and food value chain.
“Accordingly, in line with this administration’s position on ensuring that the most vulnerable are supported, Mr. President has declared, with immediate effect, the following actions: That a state of emergency on food security be announced immediately, and
“That all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.”