The Federal Government has announced that prospective buyers must provide their National Identification Number (NIN) as it begins the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidized price of N40,000 per 50-kilogram bag.

As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, launched the subsidized rice sale on Thursday in Abuja, emphasizing that the initiative will be implemented nationwide.

Kyari highlighted the timely nature of this rice intervention, given the current challenges facing the country. He acknowledged the potential difficulties related to the sale of such a vital staple during this critical period.

To ensure transparency, broad accessibility, and the overall success of the initiative, Kyari stated that a multi-disciplinary government approach has been established.

He explained that the process is designed to prevent any individual from acquiring more than one 50kg bag of rice.

Intended beneficiaries will be “verified through appropriate identification methods, including the NIN and phone numbers, to prevent fraudulent individuals from gaining multiple access to this essential commodity, thereby disadvantaging other citizens.”

Kyari urged citizens to cooperate with the relevant government agencies that are working to implement this significant initiative effectively.

It is anticipated that the introduction of 30,000MT of this essential staple, equivalent to 1,000 trucks carrying 30MT each, into Nigeria's food supply will significantly reduce the price of rice as well as other similar food substitutes and alternatives, according to his statement.

Dr. Haruna Sule, the Director of Strategic Grains Reserve at the Ministry of Agriculture, outlined the purchasing process for Nigerians wishing to buy the rice. He indicated that civil servants could acquire the grains directly from the sales points using their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“Upon presenting any of these three forms of identification to the sales operators, it will be recorded on the designated platform,” he stated.

“Subsequently, you will make an electronic payment using your ATM card; once the transaction is completed, it will be linked to the sales operator, confirming your payment, and a receipt with a code number will be issued,” he elaborated.

With this code number, the purchaser will receive a treasury receipt as proof of payment to the government. The buyer will also obtain a receipt indicating the collection point and time, designed to prevent overcrowding.

He emphasized that the collection point is distinct from the sales point, explaining that “upon arrival at the collection site, you will present your code to our officials, and you will receive a bag of rice.”

In Abuja, plans are underway to establish approximately five to six sales locations throughout the Federal Capital Territory, with the distribution period determined by the completion of sales.

The initiative to sell subsidized rice was initially announced by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, in July. Following this announcement, the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Human Resources Management Department instructed civil servants to register for the rice sale.

However, the government later declared that the plan had been suspended without providing any rationale for the decision.