ABUJA, Nigeria: The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria advanced legislation to create a national food storage and distribution framework on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development presented its report on the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2026, known as SB 139, during a plenary session.
Senator Salihu Mustapha, the lawmaker representing the Kwara Central senatorial district, sponsored the legislation. “As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and sponsor of this important bill, I presented the committee’s report on the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2026,” Mustapha said.
The proposed legislation outlines a mechanism to manage and distribute strategic grain reserves. “It will also empower the agency to serve as a buffer against food shortages by maintaining a strategic grain reserve that can be deployed swiftly during national emergencies, including natural disasters, conflicts, and market instability,” Mustapha said.
Food production in the country faces disruptions from insecurity in farming regions, flooding, irregular rainfall, and increasing costs of agricultural inputs, which have led to higher food prices and reduced access to staple foods.
“I am confident that the passage of this bill will move our nation closer to achieving sustainable food security, reduce reliance on external food sources, and promote greater self-sufficiency in agricultural production,” Mustapha said.
