The Nigerian Senate has begun a legislative push to establish a new national rice council, aiming to reduce the country’s massive $2 billion annual rice import bill and boost local production.
A bill sponsored by Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, seeks to create the Rice Development Council of Nigeria. The proposed council would be tasked with coordinating research, regulating production standards, supporting farmers, and promoting innovation across the entire rice value chain.
Speaking at a public hearing on the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasised the economic importance of the move. He was represented by the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno.
“The Rice Development Council of Nigeria Bill represents our economic firepower, poised to create millions of jobs, reduce foreign exchange spending on importation, and make Nigeria Africa’s rice powerhouse,” Akpabio said.
“By passing this bill, we will drive research, innovation, and value chain development, ensuring our children inherit a prosperous future.”
The hearing also covered related bills on cassava inclusion and a national food reserve agency, which Akpabio said could collectively reshape Nigeria’s food system.
Salihu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, described rice as a staple on nearly every Nigerian table. He lamented ongoing inefficiencies in the sector despite the country’s capacity to produce over seven million metric tonnes annually.
“This bill heralds a dedicated council to orchestrate research, extension services, and value chain innovations, from flood-resistant seeds to modern milling technologies,” Mustapha said.
“It promises to slash our $2 billion import dependence, ignite agro-industrial hubs across the north and south, and elevate our farmers from subsistence to commercial stardom.”
The initiative has received strong backing from industry stakeholders. The Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) described the bill as a timely intervention.
Peter Dama, National Chairman of RIMAN, said, “Rice is not just a meal on the table; it is a political and economic staple. It plays a role in palliatives for distressed communities, contributes to national GDP, and provides livelihoods for millions.”
The association proposed amendments to include key financial institutions on the council’s board and to create zonal offices for better reach.
The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) also expressed strong support. Its representative, Maryam Lawal, urged the Senate to ensure the bill’s swift passage, noting it was passed by the previous assembly but lapsed without presidential assent.
“We are therefore confident that the 10th senate will pass it again, and this time, it will be signed into law accordingly,” she said.
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