President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring peace in troubled areas of Northern Nigeria, aiming to enable displaced farmers to return to their farmlands and increase food production. Speaking during his 2024 Independence Day Broadcast, Tinubu emphasized, “We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.”
The President asserted that his government is making significant strides in combating terrorism and banditry, targeting the elimination of threats posed by groups such as Boko Haram and bandits. He claimed that his administration has outpaced previous governments in removing terrorist and bandit commanders, stating that over 300 have been eliminated in just one year.
“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. Our gallant troops have made considerable progress in the Northeast, Northwest, and other regions,” he reported. Tinubu expressed confidence that these efforts would restore safety to farming communities, allowing farmers to return and contribute to the nation’s food supply.
He noted that peace has been restored to hundreds of communities, enabling thousands to return home, but acknowledged that the work is ongoing. “It is unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible,” he said.
Tinubu’s remarks come amid a backdrop of economic challenges, including soaring food inflation, which reached 37.52% in August 2024, up from 29.34% a year prior.
The National Bureau of Statistics attributes this rise to increased prices for essential food items such as bread, maize, and various tubers.
Despite the government’s rollout of palliative measures in collaboration with state governors, many Nigerians continue to feel the strain of rising living costs exacerbated by the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange windows initiated in May 2023.
