The Nigerian government has authorized the disbursement of 5 billion naira ($6.5 million; £5.1 million) to each of the nation’s 36 states and the federal capital for the procurement of food items for the underprivileged.
Following a meeting of the National Economic Council at the presidential villa in the nation’s capital, Abuja, Governor Babagana Zulum of the north-western Borno state announced to the media that bags of rice, maize, and fertilizer would also be distributed.
The action is a part of efforts to reduce the rising cost of living, which is a result of President Bola Tinubu‘s decision to end fuel subsidies shortly after coming into power in May.
Since then, food prices have more than doubled and fuel prices have increased by 200%. As a result, the president last month declared a state of emergency due to food insecurity and announced measures to improve small businesses, manufacturing, and accessible transportation.
President Tinubu claimed that the elimination of subsidies had enabled the government to save more than 1 trillion naira ($1.2 billion).
Source-BBC
