ABUJA — The 36 state governors have pledged to work with the federal government to streamline levies, dismantle illegal checkpoints, and ensure the free movement of goods across the country as part of efforts to combat rising food prices.
This resolution followed the latest meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja. The communique, signed by Forum Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was read by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Olu said the meeting focused on key national issues, especially the escalating cost of food. He disclosed that the governors received a detailed briefing from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who was joined by the Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation.
According to Ribadu’s presentation, the proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation, and decaying infrastructure were major contributors to food price hikes and inefficiencies in the supply chain. He also noted that a high-level inter-ministerial committee had been set up to tackle these issues and had submitted its recommendations for the governors’ endorsement.
Responding to the presentation, the governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and reaffirmed their commitment to working with federal authorities to address the challenges and ease movement of goods across state borders.
In addition, the forum received a briefing from the World Bank on the NG-CARES programme, which aims to support vulnerable households and small businesses. However, concerns were raised over the World Bank’s failure to fulfill its funding promises under the NG-CARES 1.0 phase.
Sanwo-Olu noted that states had collectively invested over $2.2 billion through the initiative, positively impacting over 17 million beneficiaries. Governors urged the bank to resolve pending issues with participating states before launching NG-CARES 2.0.
The meeting, which ended in the early hours of Thursday, was attended by governors from Kwara, Oyo, Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Plateau, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, Ogun, and Edo States.
