Nigeria Can Become Africa’s Rice Export Hub, NGF Says

Nigeria Governors’ Forum Director-General Abdulateef Shittu said in Abuja that Nigeria could close its 5.3-million-tonne rice production deficit and become a net exporter. The country consumes about 8.6 million tonnes annually, compared with domestic production of 3.3 million tonnes, and consumption is projected to reach 9.1 million tonnes next year. Shittu blamed the shortfall on inconsistent policies and poor coordination, and called for sustained support across the agricultural value chain. He also urged all 36 states to establish functional statistics bureaus and improve agricultural data collection.