The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held an emergency virtual meeting to address three major challenges facing the nation: rising food prices, a weakening currency, and growing insecurity. In a communique issued after the meeting, NGF Chairman Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for urgent discussions and synergy amongst stakeholders to tackle these interconnected issues.
Governor AbdulRazaq disclosed that the forum is deliberating with National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu and representatives of the Department of State Services to address the crisis. The governors agreed that it is important to address the connection between food inflation, naira depreciation, and rising insecurity across parts of the country from a systemic perspective.
They also agreed on immediate actions, including the reduction of foreign exchange demand by using moral persuasion to reduce dependence on foreign exchange, imported goods, and services. The communique mentioned emergency food interventions, including incentives for farmers, releasing food from strategic reserves, and collaboration with food producers and traders to ensure immediate availability.