COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A VIRTUAL MEETING OF BALANCED RIGHTS ADVOCATES NIGERIA (BRAN) HELD ON SATURDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER 2025
The Balanced Rights Advocates Nigeria (BRAN) convened a virtual meeting on Saturday, 13th September 2025, to deliberate on the recent directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a Federal Executive Council (FEC) Committee regarding the urgent implementation of measures aimed at reducing food prices across the country.
After extensive discussions, BRAN hereby issues the following positions and observations:
1. *Clarification of Presidential Directive*: BRAN acknowledges that President Tinubu did not issue a directive for an arbitrary or sudden reduction in food prices. Rather, he tasked the FEC to address the factors responsible for the current hike in food prices, such as insecurity, high transportation costs, and other systemic challenges affecting the agricultural value chain.
2. *Concerns Over Policy Misapplication*: BRAN warns that any misinterpretation or misapplication of the President’s directive, particularly attempts to force market prices downward, could adversely affect farmers who have already cultivated their produce at great cost. The food items currently in markets or in storage were produced under harsh economic realities, with high input costs for fertilizer, chemicals, and logistics.
3. *Potential Impact on Traders and Aggregators*: BRAN also expressed concern that traders who purchased and stored food in anticipation of lean season demand could incur massive losses if forced to sell below cost. Many of these traders operate with loans and minimal margins and should not be punished for market realities they did not create.
4. *Lessons from the Fuel Subsidy Removal*: BRAN recalled the fuel subsidy removal policy, which, although well-intentioned, was implemented without adequate safeguards. This has led to nearly two years of unprecedented economic hardship for Nigerians. A repeat of such a policy blunder in the agricultural sector would be disastrous.
5. *Recommendations*: BRAN recommends that instead of distorting market prices, the government should:
(i) Provide targeted subsidies and support to farmers to reduce production costs.
(ii) Improve rural security to boost farming activities.
(iii) Repair and maintain key roads to lower transportation expenses.
(iv) Support market linkages and storage infrastructure for food distribution.
6. *Conclusion* We emphasise that while reducing food prices is a national priority, it must not be done at the expense of those who feed the nation. A balanced, well-planned, and inclusive approach is necessary to protect the interests of both producers and consumers.
Signed:
Balanced Rights Advocates Nigeria (BRAN)
13th September, 2025
