Nigeria moves to establish National Rice Council to boost self-sufficiency
Rice shortfall in Nigeria has left the country reliant on imports valued at nearly US$2 billion annually.
NIGERIA – Nigeria, Africa’s largest rice producer and importer, is taking a new step to address its long-standing supply deficit by considering the establishment of a National Rice Council, a move that could redefine the structure and management of the country’s rice industry.
The Senate has begun deliberations on the National Rice Development Council Bill, which seeks to provide an institutional framework to coordinate research, improve extension services, and modernize production and processing across the rice value chain.
The move is expected to help Nigeria bridge the 2.3 million metric tonnes shortfall between national production and demand, as highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Between 2022 and 2024, Nigeria produced an average of 5.1 million tonnes of milled rice, against an annual consumption requirement of 7.4 million tonnes, according to FAO data. This shortfall has left the country reliant on imports valued at nearly US$2 billion annually, despite being the continent’s largest grower of the crop.
Speaking during a public hearing on the bill on October 28, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, said the legislative initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritizes agricultural development and economic diversification.
“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,” he added.
The proposed council will oversee policy implementation, quality standards, and capacity building for farmers, processors, and marketers. It will also promote climate-resilient and flood-resistant seed varieties while supporting mechanization and irrigation to improve productivity.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, Services and Rural Development, underscored rice’s strategic role in Nigeria’s food security and economy.
“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, noting that it promises to slash our US$2 billion import dependence, ignite agro-industrial hubs across the north and south, and elevate our farmers from subsistence to commercial stardom.”
Industry players have welcomed the move. Peter Dama, national chairman of the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), called the bill a “timely intervention” that could unlock Nigeria’s full potential in rice production.
He, however, urged lawmakers to ensure the inclusion of key financial and agricultural institutions such as NIRSAL, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Bank of Industry (BOI), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) on the council’s governing board to strengthen funding access for farmers.
Dama emphasized that insecurity, poor irrigation infrastructure, and low mechanization remain major challenges, urging the government to promote climate-smart agricultural practices and renewable energy solutions for irrigation.
“Rice is not just a meal on the table, it is a political and economic staple. It contributes to GDP, supports livelihoods, and features in palliatives for vulnerable communities,” Dama said.
Women and youth advocacy groups also expressed strong support. Maryam Lawal, representing the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), described the bill as a potential “game-changer” for rural empowerment.
“We are confident that the 10th Senate will pass it again, and this time, it will be signed into law accordingly,” she said.
If enacted, the National Rice Development Council will complement the government’s National Rice Development Strategy II (2020–2030), a roadmap designed to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production.
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