The Nigerian government has announced a 150-day duty-free import window for agricultural products to address the rising inflation of food items.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, the duty-free imports would be for products such as maize, brown rice, wheat and cowpea.

The minister explained that the initiative will enable the Nigerian government to import 250,000 tonnes of wheat and 250,000 tonnes of maize.

The imported food products in a semi-processed state are intended to supply the country’s small processors and millers.

Despite facing a surging food price hike in 2023, Nigeria spent 2.13 billion dollars importing food items the same year.

Efforts to boost local production to reduce dependence on food imports have been hampered by factors such as poor infrastructure, insecurity and climate change.