Abuja, June 19, 2025 – In a renewed effort to tackle food inflation and enhance agricultural distribution across the country, the Federal Government and state governors have resolved to dismantle illegal checkpoints and eliminate multiple levies that have long hindered the smooth transportation of food items nationwide.
The decision was reached during a high-level meeting between federal officials and representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in Abuja, where stakeholders expressed grave concern over the persistent bottlenecks affecting food supply chains, especially from rural production zones to urban markets.
According to the resolutions from the meeting, all state governments are expected to work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies to identify and dismantle unauthorized roadblocks mounted by security personnel and non-state actors. These checkpoints have been widely condemned for extortion, harassment of transporters, and unjustified levies, which directly translate into higher food prices for consumers.
The Federal Government emphasized that food security is a national priority and stressed that no administrative barrier should frustrate efforts to ensure that food items reach markets safely, affordably, and promptly. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation and relevant security agencies, is set to monitor compliance and facilitate safe passage for agricultural goods.
State governors, for their part, pledged to harmonize taxes and charges imposed on agricultural haulage, ensuring that farmers and traders are not subjected to arbitrary fees that raise the cost of food distribution.
The move comes as Nigeria continues to battle record-high food inflation driven by insecurity, logistics costs, and market disruptions. Experts have long argued that reforming road transport practices and removing systemic corruption along food corridors are essential to stabilizing prices and reducing post-harvest losses.
With the joint commitment now in place, authorities say implementation will begin immediately, with follow-up monitoring to track progress and hold defaulters accountable.
