The Federal Government has called on retailers and traders to reflect the recent drop in food prices, emphasizing the need to avoid exploiting consumers.
Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Abubakar Kyari, made this appeal on Tuesday during the 2025 Wheat Farmers Green Field Day at Dabi village in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Speaking at the event, Kyari expressed concern over the reluctance of traders, bakers, and shop owners to adjust their prices despite a significant reduction in the cost of essential commodities such as flour, sugar, rice, and pasta.
He described this practice as unpatriotic and unjust to Nigerian consumers.
“The federal government is aware of the significant drop in the prices of food items across major markets, particularly for essential commodities such as flour, sugar, rice, and pasta,” Kyari said. “However, it is deeply concerning that many retailers have refused to reflect this reduction in their selling prices, thereby denying Nigerians the relief they deserve.”
Kyari highlighted specific examples of price reductions, noting that the cost of a bag of flour had dropped from ₦81,000 to below ₦60,000, while the price of spaghetti had fallen from ₦20,000 to ₦15,000.
Despite this, many retailers have maintained high prices, prompting concerns over food price inflation and the need for stricter regulation.
“In previous months, stakeholders in the retail value chain raised concerns about the rising cost of food items. Now that the prices have dropped, it is only fair and just to let consumers benefit from these reductions,” the minister stressed.
The government, he assured, remains committed to ensuring food availability and affordability by engaging with relevant stakeholders to align retail prices with current market realities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Wheat Farmers Green Field Day was organized in collaboration with the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria, as well as the federal and Jigawa state governments. The event served as a platform to discuss advancements in wheat farming and strategies to enhance food security in Nigeria.
As food prices continue to fluctuate, consumers and industry stakeholders are keenly watching how traders respond to the government’s appeal. The challenge remains in balancing free-market operations with the need for fairness in pricing, ensuring that economic relief reaches the average Nigerian household.
In light of this, there have been growing calls for the government to enforce stricter regulations on retailers who refuse to comply with the price reductions.
Many consumers and advocacy groups argue that without regulatory oversight, retailers may continue to exploit market conditions at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.
The government is urged to implement policies that ensure transparency and accountability in the retail sector to prevent unfair pricing practices.
