Independence Day: Tinubu Pledges to Cut Food, Transport Costs Through Increased Support for Farmers

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to reduce the cost of living by lowering agricultural production and transportation costs, increasing food production and strengthening supply chains.

In his Independence Day address, Tinubu said the government would expand mechanised irrigation, dry-season farming, access to seeds and fertilisers, storage facilities and transportation infrastructure to boost agricultural productivity and reduce food prices.

He said investments in roads, railways and ports would help connect farmers to markets, reduce post-harvest losses and lower the cost of moving food from farms to consumers.

Tinubu also said the government would work with state and local governments to improve agricultural infrastructure and enable farmers to produce more at lower costs.

Beyond agriculture, the president identified natural gas, digital connectivity, skills development and access to finance as key areas for driving industrial growth, job creation and broader economic prosperity.

He said “when a farmer produces more cheaply, when fewer crops are lost between the farm and the market, when a manufacturer spends less on electricity, when a truck reaches its destination faster, and when the business environment fosters fair competition, all those savings will ultimately find their way into the price of goods in the market,”