The Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended its plan to sell subsidized 50 kg bags of rice to civil servants at a price of N40,000. This decision was communicated in a circular dated August 2, 2024, from the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, signed by Director of Human Resources, Aderonke Jaiyesimi.
The circular did not provide specific reasons for the withdrawal of the initial directive, which had been issued on August 1, 2024, inviting civil servants to apply for the subsidized rice through a Google form. The earlier plan aimed to help alleviate the ongoing food crisis in the country, which has seen food inflation rise significantly.
While the government had established centers for the sale of the rice, the latest circular indicates that the scheme is either temporarily suspended or permanently canceled, with further details promised in due course. The initial initiative was part of broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens amid rising food prices and inflation.