Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s Response to Publicized Allegations on Rice Allocation

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has responded to publicized allegations on rice allocation by a group known as ‘Stakeholders in the Rice Industry on indiscriminate granting of waivers and issuance of rice import quotas to investors who have no investments in the industry, either in form of paddy production or rice milling, and the loss of ₦40 billion in Government revenue.

In a press conference with media representatives, Dr. Adesina note that Nigerians need to be aware that there is no ₦40billion missing rather  ₦36.56billion is being owed the Government by foreign importers of rice (and a few local ones) who wish to run their own rice policy.

According to Dr. Adesina, “Nigeria cannot lose any revenue due to the economy. All companies who have imported rice above their allocated quotas must pay fully the amounts due to the treasury. With the devaluation of the Naira, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all leakages are blocked. Nigeria is not for sale”. The Minister further noted “I will not be intimidated. I will not be bought or corrupted. I will not sell my country to any foreign company. The President has given us a clear matching order to make Nigerian self sufficient in rice and we will fully achieve this”.

The president of the Nigerian Rice Investors Group and managing director of Elephant Group, Tunde Owoeye, said that the rice policy of the present administration is visible for all to see. “If you travel through Zamfara, Niger, Benue, Sokoto and many other states in the country, you will see vast plantations of rice in the last two year. We have also seen some of our members who were traders make huge investments in local rice production. We have seen increase in employment and value creation in the rice sector”, said Owoeye.



The former minister of justice and Attorney General of the Federation, and secretary, Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), Michael Aondoakaa, emphasised that prior to the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration the allocation of quota was never transparent. “The truth is that in the past only those highly connected politically got quota allocations. President Jonathan and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, have changed all that. This administration made sure quotas went to rice farmers and millers with visible investments,” said Aondoakaa.

The Chairman of Bua group of companies, Alhaji Rabiu, also applauded the transparent and fair manner in which the quotas were allocated.  The erstwhile governor of Kebbi State and former FCT Minister, Senator Aliero, owner of Labana rice mill, Birnin Kebbi, has also commended the Honourable Minister for creating a ‘level playing field’ in the allocation of rice quotas.