Minister Reveals Why FG Hasn’t Designated Centers for Rice Sales

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has explained that the Federal Government has withheld the announcement of sale centers for its subsidized rice distribution to prevent the process from being hijacked and hoarded by wealthy individuals.

Idris made this statement during a media briefing at the Radio House in Abuja on Wednesday, addressing concerns regarding the sale of 50kg bags of rice at ₦40,000—a government initiative aimed at alleviating the economic burden on citizens.

On Monday, the minister had announced that the government had established distribution centers nationwide where Nigerians could purchase the rice. However, during the latest briefing, Idris clarified that while the rice is available and ready for distribution, the exact locations of the sale centers would not be disclosed at this time for security reasons.

“It’s in the process of distribution to the various states,” Idris said. “Sometimes, it is difficult to mention the routes and the time for security reasons. But the rice is already available, and it is going to be sold at ₦40,000 across various points around the country.”

He further emphasized the government’s caution in ensuring that the subsidized rice reaches its intended beneficiaries. “Care is being taken so that it would not be hijacked by people who have money. If we put it out there, they would go there and hoard it; those for whom this rice is intended will not now get the rice,” he added.

In addition to the rice distribution initiative, Idris highlighted other efforts by the Tinubu administration to improve living conditions in Nigeria. These include the recently signed National Education Loan Fund, aimed at supporting two million students, with 120,000 applications already received. He also mentioned the ₦110 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, set to run over the next two years, as part of the government’s broader strategy to address economic challenges.