Category: Nigerian Tribune

In this exclusive interview with CHRISTIAN APPOLOS, Comrade Benson Upah, the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), explains what led to the ongoing face-off between Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and why the right of workers to unionise must never be compromised.

Talking about the Dangote Refinery/NUPENG ongoing face-off, what actually ignited the crisis?

The crux of the matter is that Dangote Refinery refused to allow its employees to join existing trade unions. Initially, NUPENG had begun discussions with the refinery’s management about its intention to unionise workers. There was some engagement at first, but along the line, the process was abruptly halted because Dangote Refinery began taking steps to set up its own union for the workers.

The labour law is very clear: an employer cannot establish a union for workers. At that point, relations between the refinery’s management and NUPENG broke down, and NUPENG threatened to embark on strike action. The matter was later apprehended by the Minister of Labour and Employment. That, in summary, is what led to this current dispute.

At what point, if any, did NUPENG exceed its rights in this dispute?

I was privileged to lead the labour team that met with the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Dangote Refinery representatives, industry regulators, and other stakeholders. From what transpired at that meeting on September 8, it was very clear that NUPENG acted entirely within its legal rights to unionize employees of the refinery.

Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to form or join associations and unions. The Labour Act also explicitly protects the right of workers to freely join unions. Beyond our national laws, international instruments such as ILO Conventions 87 and 98, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, provide robust protections for workers’ right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining.

There are also precedents. All four state-owned refineries and virtually every oil company operating in Nigeria have unions. Why should Dangote Refinery be treated differently? The law even recognizes the right of unions to take industrial action as a legitimate bargaining tool. In essence, NUPENG did not, at any point, go beyond its constitutional and legal mandate.

During the meeting with Dangote Refinery management, what reasons were given for refusing to allow workers to join NUPENG or any other union?

The management of Dangote Refinery was very direct during the meeting, which lasted several hours. They insisted that NUPENG would not be allowed to unionize their workers for two main reasons.

First, they claimed they already provide excellent welfare for their employees:good pay, pension schemes, health insurance, and other benefits, and therefore saw no need for union representation. We made it clear to them that NUPENG is not an employer of labour. Its role is to unionize workers and collectively defend their rights and interests, not to replace management functions.

Second, they argued that the refinery is located in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). In fact, they bluntly stated that the refinery is ‘not on Nigerian territory,’ suggesting that Nigerian labour laws do not fully apply there. We challenged this position by asking whether the law that created EPZs suspended the Nigerian Constitution or Labour Act in those zones. If they truly believe national laws do not apply, then they must accept that international labour laws take precedence, and those laws also guarantee workers’ right to unionize.

In the end, Dangote Refinery could not provide any proof that the Nigerian Constitution or labour laws are suspended in EPZs. Their argument simply fell flat.

Does an employer have the right to stop employees from joining a union or form a union on their behalf? Can a union freely approach a company to organize its workers?

As I pointed out earlier, the law is very clear on this matter. Employers have no right whatsoever to seduce, coerce, or manipulate workers into joining or not joining a union. They also cannot form or dictate the creation of a union for workers.

If an employer, for example, tells workers, ‘If you don’t join a union, I will pay you N80,000, but if you do, I’ll reduce your pay or sack you,’ that is outright coercion and illegal. Workers must be free to decide voluntarily whether to belong to a union, without threats or inducements.

Likewise, employers cannot create obstacles to prevent union officials from accessing workplaces to interact with workers. That would constitute a direct violation of labour laws. To put it plainly, NUPENG was fully within its legal rights to engage Dangote Refinery in an effort to unionize its workers. Dangote Refinery, on the other hand, has no right to stop this process or to establish a parallel union for its employees. Doing so is a clear breach of the law.

What would happen if employers were allowed to stop workers from joining unions or form their own unions for workers?

It would result in the highest level of impunity. It would turn the Nigerian Constitution on its head, lead to widespread injustice, and open the door to systematic manipulation and abuse of workers’ rights.

During the meeting with the Ministers of Labour, a member of the Dangote delegation even argued that trade unions should not exist in the refinery because the project was ‘birthed by reforms.’ He went further to claim that unions were responsible for the collapse of Nigeria’s existing refineries and would harm the Dangote Refinery.

We made it clear that such arguments were completely false and historically inaccurate. Reforms, whether moderate, liberal, or radical, do not erase workers’ rights or unions. In fact, unions are vital in market economies. Look at advanced economies like the United States, the UK, France, Japan, and Canada. Unions exist in every sector, from manufacturing to domestic services.

As for Nigeria’s refineries, workers were not responsible for their collapse. The real culprits were those behind fraudulent turnaround maintenance scams and destructive policies. Even now, during the ongoing probe of the NNPC, how many workers have been summoned to testify? None. Regarding the textile industry, it collapsed due to three main factors: dumping of foreign products, rising energy costs, and lack of innovation, none of which were caused by workers. In fact, unions fought against these very policies.

It is completely unfair to demonize unions or workers just to keep them out of the Dangote Refinery. We reminded Dangote’s team that unions even supported him in the past when he faced obstacles. We advocated for the government to assist him so the refinery could succeed and help make petroleum products available to Nigerians at affordable costs. Our goal has never been to undermine his business but to see it grow in line with the law.

Why do unions exist in the first place? What role do they play for workers?

Unions exist to protect the interests of workers through collective bargaining and social dialogue. This goes beyond wages to include pensions, health and safety, job security, and dignity in the workplace.

Historically, unions have been central to the development of capitalism. Social welfare policies such as unemployment benefits and subsidies, which unions fight for, are what keep economies stable. Without these protections, public anger would boil over into unrest or revolutions. That’s why countries like the US and the UK maintain welfare systems, even though they often advise countries like Nigeria to remove subsidies. These measures are not acts of charity; they are designed to maintain stability.

Why is it important for the government to protect unions’ right to organize workers?

The government has a constitutional duty to protect its citizens and their rights. It must also ensure that national laws are enforced and that institutions function effectively. When the government fails in this duty, chaos and self-help will take over.

Unfortunately, we often see governments prioritize foreign investors over the rights of their citizens, as though investment must come at any cost. This is both wrong and dangerous. Foreign investment, like any investment, must operate under the laws of the host country. Ironically, the very countries these investors come from have vibrant unions and frequent protests. If the capital is not afraid of unions there, it should not be afraid of unions here.

The government must therefore defend the constitutional rights of its citizens, ensure the rule of law is upheld, and never trade away those rights under the guise of attracting foreign investment.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has empowered a total of 58,933 Corps members with different digital skills in its entrepreneurship drive towards youth empowerment within the last two years.

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known in his goodwill message at a retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme, ‘Achieving the youth-focused Presidential Priorities And Deliverables’, held in Abuja.

The DG said for more than two years of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NYSC has been drawing strength from the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and, by extension, the Federal Government.

He stated further that the Scheme has remained committed to the success of the sixth priority area, which is focused on education, health and social investment as essential pillars of development.

Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said while congratulating the Minister for his accomplishments since assuming office, General Nafiu added that Olawande’s passion has been a source of inspiration for the Nigerian youths.

‘As at the second quarter 2025, fifty-six thousand and thirteen Corps members had been exposed to digital skills through ICT training at NYSC orientation camps nationwide.

‘Our partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre has yielded digital skills training for two thousand, nine hundred and twenty female Corps members’, he said.

General Nafiu noted that NYSC has contributed to one of the key deliverables of the sixth priority area, which is galvanising the internal and external economies of scale for youth entrepreneurial sharpening through inter-agency engagements and collaboration.

The NYSC Chief Executive stated further that the Scheme would strengthen its existing partnership to drive empowerment initiatives and youth support systems through enhanced collaboration with Access Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, NNPC Foundation/Kudimata and Activate Success on its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.

He said NYSC’s partnerships, together with other initiatives, gave rise to the Scheme’s contributions to the second deliverable, namely, improvement of employability and access of youth to business and income-generating opportunities.

General Nafiu also said the number of Corps members supported in mentorship, internship, apprenticeship and career development opportunities also keeps rising, as 385,461 Corps members had participated in the SAED programme from June 2023 to the second quarter of 2025.

‘Through our public and private sector partners, one thousand, one hundred and eighteen Corps members were given financial support to start their businesses over the last two years.

‘NYSC has made great contributions in the area of education with five hundred and seventy-four thousand Corps members posted on teaching assignments, especially in rural schools, from June 2023 to date.

‘In the area of health, 38,112 Corps members were posted to health facilities across the country, also with priority given to rural deployment, resulting in enhanced access to quality health care services for the citizenry.

‘Moreover, as part of the Scheme’s contributions to the achievement of universal health coverage, 49839 Nigerians had benefitted from medical outreaches under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers within the period’, he added.

General Nafiu also said the foregoing achievements were products of shared vision and commitment to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

He reiterated NYSC’s continued partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and other stakeholders in its determination to drive initiatives that would accelerate national development.

In his address at the event, the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, called on the youths to make effective use of the youth help desk domiciled at the Ministry.

He said President Tinubu had earlier charged the Ministry to become a true place of hope and empowerment for the Nigerian youths.

He added that the Youth Ministry has trained a total of fifteen thousand, five hundred and nine youths on digital skills instead of the targeted figure of ten thousand.

‘We planned to support Eighty Thousand youths in mentorship and career development, but we recorded Ninety-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and twelve beneficiaries.

‘In crime reduction and peace building, we trained a total of five thousand and twenty-three. The Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) has recorded over two hundred and fifty thousand Nigerian youths,’ Olawande said.

He also said there was a need to speed up operations on the National Youth Investment Fund so as to fast-track other initiatives and laudable achievements for the Ministry.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Tuesday converged in Sokoto with a common message: Nigeria must urgently invest in education, skills, and unity to avert future instability.

The key to this, they suggest, lies in significant investment in education.

They spoke at the commissioning of the Bakhita ICT Centre, a facility equipped with 250 laptops and 50 digital tablets to provide training in ICT and vocational skills for young people, including children. Such facilities represent a tangible investment in education and vocational training.

Obasanjo warned that Nigeria’s 24 million out-of-school children constitute ‘a ticking time bomb’ that could worsen insecurity if not urgently addressed. Prioritising investment in education is essential to mitigate these risks.

‘You don’t need an oracle to know they will become the recruiting ground for Boko Haram of tomorrow,’ he said, cautioning that with the population projected to hit 400 million by 2050, failure to plan would make current security challenges appear mild.

He also highlighted the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and lamented Nigeria’s dependence on food imports despite vast agricultural potential. ‘If farmers cannot make profit, they will stop planting,’ he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives, describing the country’s diversity as its greatest asset. He dismissed foreign reports alleging religious genocide in Nigeria as ‘false and exaggerated,’ citing the interfaith harmony reflected at the event itself.

‘If we can sit here in Sokoto, just five minutes from the Sultan’s palace, with Christians and Muslims praying side by side, why does nobody talk about that?’ he queried.

He stressed that insecurity has lingered for over 15 years because it has become ‘a business,’ urging leaders to confront the root causes with sincerity.

Bishop Kukah, who initiated the project with the support of legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, said the centre was his contribution to tackling poverty and unemployment in Northern Nigeria. This further exemplifies how targeted investment in education can change lives.

‘Among the almajiri on our streets, there could be an Albert Einstein. Geography must not define destiny,’ he said, adding that the facility would provide free Wi-Fi and affordable digital resources to ensure access for all.

Kukah, who described Obasanjo as ‘a man whose energy and service remain unmatched,’ also thanked the Sultan for his consistent support in promoting harmony.

The event, attended by traditional rulers, clerics, political leaders, and youths, featured cultural displays and underscored the call for interfaith collaboration as a pathway to peace and development.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the murder of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a rising television anchor with Arise News during a robbery incident at her Katampe residence in Abuja.

He has accordingly ordered security agencies to track down the killers of the promising journalist, while describing the crime as ‘shocking, wicked, and unacceptable’.

The President said Maduagwu’s death had robbed Nigeria of a bright young talent and a promising journalist cut down in her prime.

‘Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner,’ Tinubu, recognising the loss of the Arise TV anchor, said in a Tuesday statement.

He directed security and law enforcement agencies to launch an immediate manhunt, stressing that the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay.

The President also conveyed his condolences to Maduagwu’s family, the management and staff of Arise News, highlighting the untimely demise of the Arise TV anchor, and the wider media community, noting that her passing was a painful blow to journalism and to the nation.

He further assured Nigerians that his administration will continue to strengthen security measures to safeguard lives and property.

Similarly, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed deep grief over the young journalist’s death, calling it ‘painful and most unfortunate.’

‘I woke up to the sad news of the untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV anchor. Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime,’ she said.

The First Lady extended condolences to the Chairman of Arise Media Group, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, as well as to the bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

She prayed that God grants them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss and expressed hope that justice will be swift.

‘May her soul rest in peace, and may God comfort her family and all who mourn her,’ she added.

The Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to positioning Onigbongbo as the gateway of tourism and hospitality in Lagos.

Speaking at the Tourism and Hospitality Symposium, the Chairman highlighted Onigbongbo’s unique role as the first point of contact for many visitors arriving in Lagos, with its thriving hospitality sector along Allen, Opebi, Toyin, Kudirat Abiola, and Ikeja GRA.

He emphasised that tourism is not just leisure but a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, aligning with his administration’s F.I.N.E Agenda – Foster economic growth, Invest in people, Nurture enterprise, and Ensure wellbeing.

Adebanjo announced the upcoming Onigbongbo Spark Fest 2025, a landmark yuletide festival designed to light up our cityscape, attract visitors, and transform Onigbongbo into a yuletide destination to rival Victoria Island and Lekki. He also unveiled plans for a digital hospitality directory powered by QR codes, which will be placed at airports and strategic locations across Lagos, offering visitors access to local hotels, restaurants, and nightlife operators with a 10% discount incentive.

The Chairman assured tourism and hospitality stakeholders of the government’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector in driving visibility, investment, and growth, stating: ‘Together, we will make tourism the heartbeat of development in Onigbongbo LCDA.’

In a bid to prevent diseases among the children in Lagos State, the State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has emphasised the importance of immunisation, urging parents to vaccinate their children and wards for a healthier future and a disease-free society.

Hamzat made the call on Tuesday, while speaking at an ‘Inaugural meeting of the Lagos State Taskforce on Immunisation and Primary Health Care Services’, held at the Conference Room, Office of the Deputy Governor, Roundhouse, Alausa, Ikeja, emphasising that vaccination remained one of the most effective means of protecting the children in the community ‘from life-threatening illnesses and ensuring their growth and development in good health.

This was just as he affirmed that immunisation was a collective responsibility that would not only secure the well-being of individual families but also contribute to building a healthier future and a disease-free society for Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

He also charged religious leaders and traditional rulers to collaborate with the state government in sensitising the people on the importance of vaccination and nutrition for their own children, noting that religious houses were always welcome to visit the government for clarification and enlightenment on the different policies put in place.

‘Our royal fathers must also help us in the community to spread the good news that we have been able to sustain our health conditions because of vaccination,’ Hamzat said.

The deputy governor, while using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, said that contagious diseases had been eradicated in society because of the immunisation process carried out, pointing out that such efforts can be extended to other illnesses.

He emphasised the importance of the inaugural meeting, pointing out that it was crucial to include all stakeholders, such as the State Executives, members of the Primary Health Care Board, Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Religious leaders, and others, due to the need for everybody to have an understanding of the severity of the challenge.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Aina, in his address, charged the Local Government Chairmen in the state to encourage the people in their constituencies to ensure their children and wards embrace the immunisation programme to ensure a disease-free environment.

‘I want to admonish us to intensify our efforts to do our best in encouraging our people to bring their children out for vaccination, as health education is a key responsibility of the chairmen in ensuring the good and well-being of the people,’ said Lawal.

In his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the primary objective of primary healthcare was to increase the coverage for immunisation within the state.

Abayomi noted that human beings were living longer now because the world had advanced technologically to produce effective vaccines that eliminate both infections that cause immediate sickness and diseases that could lead to complications such as liver cirrhosis with hepatitis, cervical cancer with HPV, and malaria, which could cause significant depletion.

The commissioner further noted that to improve the immunisation uptake in Lagos, the state government needed to work on the aspects that make access to the primary healthcare more attractive to citizens, urging traditional rulers, Local Government chairmen, and stakeholders to collaborate with the government to further boost the capacity of the primary healthcare.

‘So, we are working diligently on renovating our primary healthcare platform. We know that many of you want to provide infrastructure to the state, and at the moment, we are doing 47 PHCs. So, I will be appealing to you to tag into this medical infrastructure transformation,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary HealthCare Board, Dr Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustapha, in his welcome address, explained that the establishment of the taskforce reflects the second ‘H’ in the THEMES + agenda of the state government.

Mustapha said that the move was a strong commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) governance, driving accountability, and ensuring that no one was left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and essential health services, adding that the Taskforce had been constituted to provide a high-level platform for coordination, oversight, and problem-solving in the delivery of immunisation and other PHC services.

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday sentenced Femi Ayoade, a 22-year-old graduate, to life imprisonment for defiling a four-year-old girl inside a tricycle.

Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgment, stating that the prosecution had proven the one-count charge of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge described Ayoade as a criminally audacious man who shamelessly turned a child’s vagina into a playground.

‘The prosecution has successfully presented compelling evidence against the defendant.

‘Consequently, the defendant is hereby found guilty of the charge of defilement and is sentenced to life imprisonment,’ Justice Soladoye ruled.

The judge further ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.

The State Counsel, Mrs Olufunke Alebiosu, presented the survivor and her father as key witnesses.

The convict committed the offence in September 2021 at No. 19, Milestone Close, Infinity Estate, Skido Bus Stop, Eti-Osa, Lagos.

Former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians not to despair despite the current challenges in the land, but to continue to nurture hope in the possibilities of greatness within the country.

Dr Jonathan stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence Anniversary, which, he said, ‘offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building.’

The former President wrote:

‘Our nation marks another significant milestone in its journey to nationhood. As we celebrate 65 years of independence from colonial rule, this moment offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building; on the challenges we have faced, and on the vast possibilities that still lie ahead.

‘It is true that we face challenges that could test our sense of hope: insecurity, economic disparities, and institutions that often struggle to deliver on the promises of improved wellbeing, peace and security.

‘Yet, as citizens, we must not lose faith. We must continue to nurture hope and sustain belief in the nation’s enormous potential and the resilience of the people.

‘Nigeria is a blessed nation, endowed with vast land, abundant natural resources, and, above all, the ingenuity and creativity of the people.

‘Our cultural richness, our knowledge, and our wisdom have continued to distinguish Nigerians across every sphere of human endeavour, both at home and abroad.

‘As we look to the future, let patriotism guide our actions. Let us hold firmly to optimism and faith, knowing that the greatness of our country is within reach if we remain united and steadfast. May our nation continue to rise in strength and purpose.’

The Kogi State Government has expressed deep shock over the tragic death of Ms. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News, who was killed during an alleged armed robbery in Abuja.

In a condolence message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government described the late journalist as a consummate professional who carried out her duties with passion, brilliance, and a deep sense of responsibility.

‘Her tragic passing is not only a loss to her family and colleagues at ARISE News but also to Nigeria, where her voice echoed professionalism in national discourse,’ the statement read in part. The government extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, her colleagues in the media industry, and the management of ARISE News, praying that God grants her eternal rest and gives her loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

The statement also urged security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are swiftly brought to justice, noting that no society can thrive when its brightest lights are cut down by acts of criminality.

Fanwo added that her memory would continue to inspire courage, patriotism, and excellence in the noble profession of journalism.

The U.S. Mission’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has partnered with the Federal Government to adopt innovative solutions aimed at enhancing agricultural trade for economic growth and food security.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Matthew Obogbaimhe, Chairman of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Kaduna Chapter, said this at a roundtable on Thursday in Abuja.

Obogbaimhe said revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural sector required more than trade restrictions, stressing that the sector demands innovation, sustainable practices and investment in infrastructure.

The roundtable, tagged: ‘Innovative Approaches to Agricultural Trade for Economic Growth and Food Security,’ was organised by FAS in collaboration with NACC and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG).

The discussion focused on the impacts of Nigeria’s agricultural trade restrictions on food prices, local production and investment.

It also provided the U.S. Mission’s FAS with an opportunity to connect with policy advisers and push for reconsideration of restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports.

Obogbaimhe said the partnership with FAS was driven by a vision to promote agricultural innovation and trade across Africa.

‘The roundtable provided a unique platform to exchange ideas and explore innovative agricultural trade policies that benefit consumers and farmers in Nigeria and the United States,’ he said.

Mr Christopher Bielecki, Agricultural Counselor for the FAS office in Lagos, said the forum enabled stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions to strengthen agricultural trade, reduce costs for agribusinesses and consumers, and create prosperity for American and Nigerian farmers.

‘The U.S. Mission’s FAS office looks forward to continued collaboration with the Nigerian government and agribusiness stakeholders to translate the roundtable’s recommendations into action.

‘By working together to advance innovative agricultural trade policies, the United States and Nigeria can foster greater food security, create opportunities for value-added processing, attract investment and strengthen the agricultural sector,’ Bielecki said.

NABG Director-General, Mr Jafar Umar, described the roundtable as timely and highly relevant to the national discourse on trade and food security.

He expressed the group’s readiness to partner with FAS, noting that NABG remains the leading voice of agribusiness in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Dr Betty Adegebo, a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) research team, said Nigeria’s agricultural trade restrictions had resulted in higher food prices, increased informal trade, and inefficiencies in production, while failing to achieve self-sufficiency.

Presenting NIPSS findings, Adegebo said food inflation surged to 30.6 per cent in 2023, with staples such as rice and beef more than doubling in price over two years.

She noted that the price of one kilogramme of local rice rose by 137.32 per cent year-on-year in October 2024, while boneless beef increased by 98.73 per cent.

‘Production challenges persist, including an estimated maize production gap of 300,000 metric tonnes annually, and low yields of 2.0 tonnes per hectare, far below South Africa’s 5.2,’ Adegebo said.

She added that informal trade had expanded, especially in rice and poultry, as high tariffs and import bans continued to encourage cross-border smuggling despite government measures such as the 2019 border closure.

Adegebo said NIPSS recommended reducing import bans and tariffs, adopting long-term predictable trade policies, harmonising tariffs and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, and leveraging frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She also called for the establishment of a centralised body to oversee agricultural trade regulations, improve official trade, strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary oversight, and boost government revenue.

The event, was attended by Nigerian agricultural trade policy advisors, legislative representatives, agribusiness leaders, researchers, regulators, and U.S. agricultural associations.