Senate Advances Bill to Slash Nigeria’s $2B Rice Annual Import 

News in Brief:

-The Nigerian Senate has advanced efforts to cut down the $2 billion annual rice import cost through a bill establishing a National Rice Development Council.

-This council will promote research, farmer support, and innovation to boost domestic production.

Nigeria has advanced its move to slash the $2 billion annual rice import bill as the Senate pushed forward a bill to establish a National Rice Development Council.  The initiative aims to boost Nigeria’s rice production and food self-sufficiency by creating a council to coordinate rice research, regulate production standards, support farmers, and drive innovation throughout the rice value chain. 

The bill, sponsored by Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central, was deliberated on at a recent public hearing of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, Services, and Rural Development, alongside the Cassava Inclusion and Flour Production Bill and the National Food Reserve Agency Bill.

Speaking at a public hearing on the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Mohammed Monguno, Senate Chief Whip, said the measures align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural and economic transformation.

“The bill represents our economic firepower, poised to create millions of jobs, reduce foreign exchange spending on importation, and make Nigeria Africa’s rice powerhouse. By passing this bill, we will drive research, innovation, and value chain development, ensuring our children inherit a prosperous future,” he said.

He added that the three agricultural bills can reshape Nigeria’s food system. While the cassava inclusion bill would stimulate agro-industrial growth and employment, the food reserve agency bill would provide a safety net against shortages caused by climate change and global disruptions.

The Rice Development Council Bill

The bill has seen active legislative and stakeholder support since its first introduction in the 9th Senate in 2019. It was reintroduced in the 10th Senate in 2024, smoothly going through the first and second readings.

Senator Salihu Mustapha, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, Services, and Rural Development, praised the bill for addressing inefficiencies in Nigeria’s rice sector despite its potential to produce more than 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.”

He emphasised that the council would drive research, flood-resistant seed development, modern milling technologies, and inclusivity by engaging women and youth in agribusiness.

Stakeholder Support

Critical stakeholders such as the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) and the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) have expressed strong support for the bill. RIMAN’s national chairman, Peter Dama, stressed the importance of climate-smart agricultural practices and the inclusion of financial institutions in the council's governance, proposing amendments to strengthen regional delivery and technical oversight. and gender equity.

RIMAN proposed the inclusion of financial institutions such as NIRSAL, the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Bank of Industry (BOI), National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) on the council’s governing board.

Dama asked that these institutions replace the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since it no longer funds agricultural development directly. He also recommended six zonal offices to enhance regional programme delivery and seven technical committees for areas such as research, quality control, marketing, rice fortification, and gender equity.

WOFAN expressed their support for the bill, highlighting its potential to create extensive job opportunities for women and youth and ensure food security if passed swiftly by the Senate.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Maryam Lawal urged the senate to ensure the bill’s swift passage, saying it would enhance food security and empower communities.

“WOFAN worked with CARF, RIMAN, RIPAIN, and other stakeholders on the Rice Council Bill from 2020 to 2023 when it was passed by the 9th Senate,” she said. “However, the president’s assent was delayed until the bill lapsed, and it had to be re-presented in 2024. We are therefore confident that the 10th Senate will pass it again, and this time, it will be signed into law accordingly.”

Historical Context and Legislative Debates

The bill was initially passed by the 9th Senate and forwarded to the President in 2023, but did not receive assent before the change in administration, causing it to lapse. It was reintroduced in the 10th Senate in 2024. Since its first introduction, the debates have revolved around the need to unify the fragmented rice sector, which comprises numerous associations with varied policies. Senator Aliero noted that the bill aims to establish a central coordination platform for rice production stakeholders, including farmers, processors, millers, and women’s groups, creating a comprehensive governance structure.

Arguments for the bill emphasise leveraging Nigeria's natural comparative advantage in rice production, boosting employment, and reducing foreign exchange expenditure on imports. Proponents argue that the council will enhance research, promote mechanisation, improve milling quality, and elevate local rice to be competitive globally.

Opponents and sceptics in the debate have raised concerns about potential bureaucratic bottlenecks, the risk of ineffective coordination due to overlapping mandates with existing bodies, and the challenge of securing adequate funding and political commitment to fully realise the council’s objectives. Some also question whether the bill sufficiently addresses systemic issues like irrigation infrastructure and security challenges affecting farmers.