Business
LCCI lambasts FG’s N60bn phones-for-farmers policy
LAGOS: The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have lambasted the federal government over the proposed N60 billion phones-for-farmers policy saying it is a misplaced priority.
On Tuesday, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote disclosed the federal government intends to spend N60 billion to purchase mobile phones for 10 million rural farmers across the country. She said that the fund had has already been provided and the distribution will commence in the first quarter.
Reacting to this development in an interview with Biztellers, the Chairman, Agric sector of the LCCI and Managing Director of Bama Farm Food, Prince Wale Oyekoya, said the Federal Government’s intention would not make any meaningful impact on the lives of the farmers.
“Imagine our Federal Government wants to give rural farmers N60b cell phone, is this what our poor farmers need now with the high interest rate of 28 per cent. This is part of corruption we are talking about; it is a way of laundering our money by the federal government. Farmers need working capital and not cell phone, who will be recharging the phones for them? Is it still the federal government that will do that?” he said.
According to him, the Nigerian farmers need a single digit interest rate on agric loans, input research and development, tractors, working capital and other amenities to excel in agriculture, adding that, Nigeria is one nation that is endowed with goodness of nature , wonderful weather, excellent soil texture and great business environment.
He urged the federal government to provide basic infrastructure that would make agricultural business venture progress and less stressful, adding that the government should invest more in farmers with a single digit interest rate on agric loans instead of giving out cell phones.
On Thursday, Minster of Agriculture, Dr. Adeshina Akinwunmi though denied that the FG was spending N60 billion to purchase the mobile phones, he however strongly defended the policy. Adesina said the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, was totally misquoted on the issue as there “is no N60 Billion for phones anywhere.
The Minister said agriculture today is more knowledge-intensive and they are willing to modernize the sector, and get younger (graduate) entrepreneurs into the sector, “and we will arm them with modern information systems.
“Whether small, medium or large farmers they all need information and communication systems. Connecting to supermarkets and international markets require that farmers know and meet stringent consumer-driven grades and standards.”
He added “In today’s supply chains, the flow of information from buyers to farmers must be instant, to meet rapidly changing demands. Unless farmers have information at their finger tips, they will lose out on market opportunities.
“Our goal is to empower every farmer. No farmer will be left behind. We will reach them in their local languages and use mobile phones to trigger an information revolution which will drive an agricultural revolution.”
On why the need for cell phones, Dr. Akinwumi explained that Nigeria has 110 million cell phones, the largest in Africa, but regretted that there is a huge divide as the bulk of the phones are in urban areas.
“The rural areas are heavily excluded. For agriculture, which employs 70% of the population that means the farmers are excluded and marginalized.
“In today’s world, the most powerful tool is a mobile phone. As Minister of Agriculture, I want the entire rural space of Nigeria, and farmers, to be included, not excluded, from the advantages of mobile phone revolution.
The Phone-For-Farmers scheme is part of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the federal government introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture. The goal of ATA is to add 20 million metric tones (MT) to the domestic food supply, or 5 million MT per year, by 2015, and to create a total of 3.5 million jobs by 2015.
According to the Minister the goal of ATA is to transform agriculture to grow food, create wealth and generate jobs. The focus is on expanding domestic food production, reducing import dependency and expanding value addition to locally produced agricultural products.
Adesina set out to eliminate decades of corruption in the fertilizer and seed sectors through radical policy reforms, reduce the role of government and expand incentives for the private sector to drive the transformation and modernization of Nigeria’s agriculture. One of such reforms brought about the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS).
The scheme which kicked off last year is a special agricultural scheme of the Federal Government aimed at delivering subsidized farm inputs to farmers and facilitates a shift from subsistence to commercial farming.
GESS is hinged on the use of technology to enhance effective distribution of various farm inputs, especially fertilizers, to farmers. This is in line with government vision of making agriculture the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy.
With the program, Government sought to withdraw from direct fertilizer purchase and distribution, and introduce an alternative system of distribution built on the voucher system. Under the scheme, registered farmers receive e-wallet vouchers with which they can redeem fertilizer and seeds from agro dealers. The GESS is a 3-year scheme and the first cycle was implemented last year.
The scheme has been designed to encourage a private sector led market development process, ultimately geared towards improving Nigeria’s competitiveness and food security. Through this scheme, government will subsidize the costs of seeds and fertilizers for farmers by 50%, while providing soft loans to the seed and fertilizer companies and agro-dealers to sell their inputs directly to farmers and build their supply chains to get to rural areas.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina who introduced the program, described it as the best way farmers can access the direct subsidy of agro-inputs.
He particularly explained that the introduction of allocating fertilizer and seedlings directly to benefiting farmers through electronic vouchers to their mobile phones has helped eliminate the activities of middle men who for decades have been preventing farmers in the country from enjoying such subsidy from government.
But reports from farmers at the end of the planting season last year show lots of complains from farmers across the country as to their inability to access the subsidy or in some cases getting the subsidized inputs after harvesting.
During a tour of five states of Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Benue by reporters sometimes last year, farmers expres their disappointment over the scheme.
In Taraba State, the picture was not rosy. The farmers complained that they didn’t receive their two bags of fertilizer and two bags of improved seedlings in time. One of them was Hamman-Tukur Baba-Anda, a 72-year-old farmer. He said though he got his two bags of fertilizer, they came late. He lamented that if he had gotten them in time, he would have gotten about a hundred bags of maize instead of the 28 bags he got.
“We should have gotten it from January, February to April, but this time it came around June/July. May be it is from you,” Baba-Anda said.
Not all the farmers in the state got fertilizer. Out of the 75,000 farmers that got registered for the program, only 22, 000 were able to redeem their allocation, according to the state director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Samuel Adaji.
The story was slightly different in Gombe State where the federal coordinator of the GES scheme in the state, Mallam Muhammad Umar Deba, said out of the 148,032 farmers registered for the GES program, 144,000 farmers redeemed their fertilizers.
“I couldn’t get even a single bag of fertilizer or seed,” said Malam Usman Bangu, an old farmer, in flawless English. But those who got their allocation in the state called for creation of more redemption centers as they said the ones in the state were too small to cater for them.
For Mr. Akin Balogun, the scheme had made the purchase of fertilizers more difficult and urged the government to review its implementation.
Mr. Shedrack Madlion, the Executive Director of the Admiral Environmental Care Limited, an NGO, stressed the need to put in place checks and balances to ensure success of the initiative.
Madlion observed that the e-wallet scheme had only succeeded in arousing the farmers’ interest, but its implementation had fallen short of expectation.
It was in an attempt to review its implementation and move agriculture away from development program to business that the ministry came up with a modern way of reaching the farmers using new tools like mobile phones.
In a significant effort to alleviate the burden of rising food costs on vulnerable households, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has commenced the distribution of bags of rice to members of host communities of Dangote Cement Plc across Nigeria.
The initiative forms part of the Foundation’s National Food Intervention Programme aimed at cushioning the effects of prevailing economic challenges on ordinary Nigerians. The distribution exercise, which is being rolled out across communities where Dangote Cement operates in Ibese and Itori, both in Ogun state, underscores the Dangote Group’s commitment to inclusive growth and community wellbeing.
In what has now become an annual event, in which thousands of 10kg bags of rice are being distributed to beneficiaries from 17 host communities in Ibese and 36 others in Itori and Ijebu-Igbo with focus on low-income families, elderly residents, and other vulnerable groups within the host communities.
Speaking on the initiative, ADF Chief Executive, Zouera Youssoufou who was represented by the ADF Head of Operations, Victor Ejiro reaffirmed that the food intervention programme reflects the organization’s long-standing dedication to food security and poverty alleviation, particularly during periods of economic strain.
She said: “This intervention is designed to provide immediate relief to households grappling with high food prices. As a socially responsible organization, we recognize the importance of supporting our host communities beyond business operations,”.
“At the Aliko Dangote Foundation, we recognize the current economic realities facing many Nigerian households. This intervention is aimed at providing immediate relief while reinforcing our long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of our host communities.”
“We understand the difficulties families are facing at this time. This support is our way of standing with our communities and ensuring that no household is left behind during these challenging times. Sustainable development goes beyond business operations. Through this programme, we are strengthening community resilience and contributing to national efforts to improve food access and social stability.”
“This intervention is focused on delivering real, immediate support to vulnerable households. We will continue to expand our reach to ensure more families benefit from this programme.”
At the Ibese distribution centre, The Aboro of Ibeseland, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero thanked the giving spirit of Alhaji Dangote describing the rice distribution as “operation feed the families”.
He stated excitedly: On behalf of our people, I extend our profound gratitude to the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this timely and commendable gesture. At a time when many families are facing economic challenges, this distribution of food items will go a long way in alleviating hardship within our communities.
“We appreciate Dangote Group not only as a business partner but as a responsible corporate citizen that continues to demonstrate genuine concern for the wellbeing of its host communities. We pray that this partnership continues to flourish for the benefit of all. Today, our hearts are filled with appreciation. This support has come at a very critical time for our people. Many households are under pressure, and this intervention will bring relief and hope to families.”
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Some of the community leaders and beneficiaries also expressed appreciation to the ADF Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the gesture, noting that the rice distribution comes at a critical time when many families are facing financial pressures due to inflation and rising living costs.
Also at Itori, the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo said his people’s hearts are filled with appreciation. “This support has come at a very critical time for our people. Many households are under pressure, and this intervention will bring relief and hope to families.
“We thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his Foundation for remembering the grassroots and standing by us in times of need. We are deeply grateful for this act of kindness. May the Almighty bless the Dangote Group and increase its capacity to continue doing good for humanity.”
At several distribution points, orderly processes were put in place to ensure transparency and equitable access. Local coordinators, in collaboration with community representatives, supervised the exercise to guarantee that the items reached intended beneficiaries.
The Dangote Cement host communities, spread across key states including Ogun, Kogi, Benue, Edo, and others, have historically benefitted from numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by the Dangote Group, ranging from infrastructure development to healthcare, education, and economic empowerment programmes.
The ongoing food intervention aligns with the Foundation’s broader strategy to enhance food access and strengthen social safety nets across Nigeria. It also complements government efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of economic headwinds on citizens.
Industry observers note that such private sector-driven interventions are increasingly crucial in bridging gaps in social welfare delivery, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
The ADF, one of the largest private philanthropic organizations in Africa, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting national development priorities through targeted interventions in health, education, and economic empowerment.
As the rice distribution progresses, the Foundation has reiterated its commitment to expanding the reach of the programme to cover more communities in need, reinforcing its mission to improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
Africa’s largest financial institution, Standard Bank Group, has reaffirmed commitment to support the growth of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), pledged backing the planned listing of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, and expressed readiness to finance future expansion projects across the continent.
The commitment came during a strategic visit by Standard Bank Group Chief Executive, Sim Tshabalala, and senior executives to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser complex in Lagos.
Speaking after touring the facilities, Tshabalala described the refinery as a transformational industrial project with far-reaching implications for Nigeria and Africa.
“We are here because the Dangote Group is a large and important global player and a significant force on the African continent,” he said. “Standard Bank is the largest financial institution in Africa and we have partnered with Dangote on a variety of initiatives. We are here to lend support, to see this magnificent refinery and to discuss Vision 2030 and how we can continue supporting the Group’s growth ambitions.”
Tshabalala disclosed that Standard Bank intends to play a leading role in the refinery’s planned Initial Public Offering and future growth initiatives.
“As Dangote lists, there is an IPO coming up and we are a leading player in that process,” he said. “As the Group continues to expand in Nigeria and across Africa, there will be opportunities for financial advisory services and balance sheet support, and we stand ready to provide both.”
He described the refinery as “a wonder of the world,” noting that its impact is already being felt through stronger foreign exchange earnings, improved balance-of-payments performance and enhanced energy security.
“This is a wonder to behold. It is massive, productive and transformative. It is already making a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy through its impact on foreign reserves, the balance of payments and the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the visit represented a significant milestone in a partnership that began during the refinery’s construction phase.
“The bank visited us during construction and understood the scale of what we were building,” Edwin said. “Today, the refinery is fully operational and they can see what their support has helped to create. It is like nurturing a tree and eventually seeing it bear fruit.”
He added that both organisations are exploring opportunities to deepen collaboration as Dangote expands its industrial footprint across Africa.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, said the visit highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships in delivering large-scale industrial projects.
“Standard Bank has been one of our strongest supporters throughout the history of the refinery and the broader Dangote Group,” Bird said.
“This visit was an opportunity to demonstrate what that support has enabled. Seeing is believing, and it allows our partners to appreciate the scale of what has been achieved.”
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The visit also coincided with a major operational milestone for the refinery, which has now exceeded its original design capacity.
Bird disclosed that the refinery recently completed performance test runs at 700,000 barrels per day, above its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
“We have always believed there was engineering flexibility built into the design,” he said. “Achieving sustained production of 700,000 barrels per day is a testament to the technical capability of our people and the strength of the systems we have built.”
The deadline for submitting technical and commercial bids by prequalified applicants participating in Nigeria’s ongoing 2025 Licensing Round has been set for Friday, June 12, 2026, close of business.
This was disclosed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), in a notice posted on its official X handle on Tuesday.
The Commission urged all qualified bidders to comply strictly with the timelines stipulated in the licensing guidelines.
“The NUPRC hereby notifies the general public that submission of Technical and Commercial Bids by Prequalified Applicants for the 2025 Licensing Round closes on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 16:30 hours (WAT) in line with the 2025 Licensing Round Guidelines,” the notice read.
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The commission advised interested stakeholders to obtain further details through the official licensing round portal.
“For more details, visit the licensing round portal: br2025.nuprc.gov.ng,” it added.
The announcement signals the transition of the exercise to one of its most critical phases, as investors compete for opportunities in Nigeria’s upstream sector amid renewed government efforts to attract capital and boost hydrocarbon production.
The two-stage process, qualification followed by bidding, requires shortlisted firms to lodge final proposals by the stated time.
The 2025 Licensing Round, conducted under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to unlock dormant hydrocarbon assets, deepen exploration activities and improve the country’s reserve base.
The successful completion of the technical and commercial bid stage would pave the way for the eventual award of oil blocks to successful applicants.
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