NIN required to buy 50kg bag of rice at N40,000 – FG

The federal government has mandated that a National Identification Number (NIN) is necessary to purchase a 50-kilogram (kg) bag of rice, priced at N40,000.

On July 29, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the sale of 50kg bags of rice for N40,000. According to him, 20 trucks of rice have been allocated to each state across the country.

In a post on X, Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, explained on Friday that the NIN requirement is designed to ensure transparency and prevent exploitation in the rice distribution process.

“Only individuals with a registered National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to buy the rice, which is part of a broader strategy to address the ongoing food crisis in the nation,” Kyari stated.

He emphasized that the rice will be sold at a uniform rate of N40,000 per 50kg bag, marking a significant intervention aimed at reducing the impact of high food prices.

“This initiative is one of several actions the administration has taken to alleviate the effects of escalating food costs, driven by factors such as COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and climate change.

“Although these issues are global, the federal government remains dedicated to ensuring food security for all Nigerians.

“To maintain equity and prevent system abuse, the sale will be strictly limited to ‘one person, one bag.’”

Kyari also mentioned that beneficiary verification will be conducted using the NIN and other relevant identification methods to prevent fraudulent individuals from making multiple purchases.

He called on Nigerians to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure the initiative’s success and to protect the fundamental right to food for every citizen.

Kyari concluded by noting that with the infusion of 30,000 metric tonnes of rice into the market, rice prices are expected not only to decrease but also to help stabilize the costs of other food commodities.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient and resilient, assuring them that the administration’s efforts to enhance food security would soon yield positive results.