Feature/OPED
The Way Forward out of Soaring Food Prices
Ayo Oyoze Baje
This is certainly the worst of times for millions of Nigerians grappling with an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), electricity tariff and the pump price for fuel.
What about the swirling insecurity incubus, via farmers-herders clashes, banditry and terrorism as well as delayed rainfall courtesy of climate change? That all these have unfolded in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic makes the sordid economic picture darker.
According to Reuters, inflation in Nigeria has hit a four-year peak of 17.33 per cent driven by the COVID pandemic, a drop in oil revenue and a weakened currency. Going by the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food inflation climbed to 20.57 per cent year-on-year in January 2021, making it the highest in over 11 years.
Food prices, which make up the bulk of the inflation basket, rose 21.79 per cent in February, a jump of 1.22 percentage point in January, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated. Costs increased by 2 per cent in the month. What all these frightening figures tell us is that there is acute hunger in the land!
The serious worry, however, is that the light at the end of the dark tunnel of insecurity is still far away, according to experts on the economy.
For instance, Jacques Nel, head of macroeconomic research at NKC African Economics in South Africa insists that: “Straining households will be compounded by increasing reports of insecurity in some regions, fuelling the risk of broader social discontent.”
He added that just 30.6 million Nigerians in a population of around 210 million were considered fully employed.
Similarly, Bismarck Rewane, managing director at Lagos-based Financial Derivatives, said the “stagflation crisis” would take a long time to resolve, with inflation eating up economic gains to the point where any government stimulus might be too weak to generate jobs.
On his piece of advice to policymakers on the economy and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he stated that: “They should be thinking of tightening to encourage savings and investment which could help employment but I think we may have reached the limit of [what can be achieved with changes to] monetary policy.”
So, what is the way forward, if not agriculture, that is renewable and generally less costly to venture into?
But then, such agricultural practices have to be driven by the availability of fertile land, modern technological practices, sustained human capital development features, as well as genuine interest from the public and the private sectors.
These could be done through guaranteed socio-economic security for the farmers and access to adequate funding through single-digit interest bank loans spread over a long period of time.
Also needed are the supply of steady electric power, potable water and technical support with tillers, harvesters and pesticides.
Others include the provision of early-maturing, disease-resistant hybrid seedlings with greater harvest potentials.
Even then the farmers require the input of agric extension workers with the requisite professional knowledge. In fact, they could assist them to form cooperatives.
One other significant factor that could facilitate success in the agric sector is proper planning that would be predicated on a creditable database. Such data could be on the number of registered farmers as per the type of farming practices they are engaged in on a zonal basis, funds required to catalyse their production and access to available markets.
All these would assist the policymakers and those who implement them to focus on areas of comparative advantage, as the current President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Adewnmi Adesina, once did. That was while he was the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Dr Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.
Moving forward, we have to learn valuable lessons from the mistakes of the past.
For instance, as at political independence in 1960, agriculture accounted for 68 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It employed 70 per cent of the labour force, especially in rural areas. It provided not only food but generated employment and contributed 38 per cent of the non-oil foreign exchange earnings.
Indeed, the first national development plan, after independence (1962-1968) was anchored on agriculture. Within that period, over 80 per cent of total export earnings came from the sector as gotten from cocoa, cotton, castor, cowhide, oil palm nuts and rubber.
But how much of these products do we produce locally and how much do we export as of today? The answer is obvious.
With true fiscal federalism firmly in place back then, the Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led Western Region (now defunct) funded the laudable Free Education Policy.
The Cocoa House remains a great testament and symbol of the power of home-grown agriculture. But what do we have these days? A military government-imposed centralized structure, backed by the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) controlling resources (agriculture, education, healthcare delivery) that should ordinarily belong to the states or federating units.
We joyfully allow for exports of our raw agricultural products (cashew nuts, cocoa, coffee, yam, cocoyam, cassava, ginger, garlic, oranges, mangos) only to buy the processed forms at exorbitant rates! That is just like we do with our crude oil.
Sadly, we erroneously focus our attention on borrowing billions of Naira from the same countries that should be begging us for loans!
Perhaps, the German national who recently stated Nigeria holds the key to the global economic feats of the near future certainly knows his onions. With a vast landmass of 923,720 sq/km, a water area of 13,000 sq/km, an annual rainfall of between 250mm (North) and 300mm (South), a clement climate blessed with abundant sunshine, the Rivers Niger and Benue as well as their tributaries and the vast Atlantic Ocean to the South, why not?
The answer, of course, lies with the missing leadership factor. The ones we have had gave us policy flip-flops on agriculture, ranging from the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP, 1972), through the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), the Green Revolution (GR) before the springing up of the River Basin Authorities.
After that came the Agric Banks and eventually the Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRII) during the famed IBB era. But all refused to put food on the common man’s table. And so did the high-sounding NAPEP and NEEDS that could hardly identify, not to talk about meeting our daily needs.
It was, therefore, not surprising that the food importation issue metamorphosed from the Rice Armada during the Alhaji Shehu Shagari tenure in the ‘80s to Nigeria becoming the highest importer of fish in 2005, spending some staggering N50 billion on fish annually.
Still, on the importation, it jumped from N3.47 billion in 1990 to N113.63 billion in 2002. Between 1981 and 2019, it recorded N217.76 billion, according to Trading Economics Report.
The piece of good news is that Nigeria has become Africa’s largest producer of rice under the current Buhari-led administration. But rice is not the only food we eat or should concentrate on.
According to Cleaver and Shoebar (1994), Nigeria lacks the requisite knowledge in food processing, preservation and packaging. This has led to post-harvest losses ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent and something urgent needs to be done to reverse the drift.
Currently, we need modern agricultural practices to succeed. But let it be made a way of life. Let the study of the subject be made more attractive; right from the primary school level up to the university stage. Governments and the private sector should collaborate to wage a concerted war against Climate Change, terrorism and all forms of insecurity. Farmers should be registered and trained through well-paid farm extension instructors.
By Luke Kyohere
The global payments landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. New technologies coupled with the rising demand for seamless, secure, and efficient transactions has spurred on an exciting new era of innovation and growth. With 2025 fast approaching, here are important trends that will shape the future of payments:
1. The rise of real-time payments
Until recently, real-time payments have been used in Africa for cross-border mobile money payments, but less so for traditional payments. We are seeing companies like Mastercard investing in this area, as well as central banks in Africa putting focus on this.
2. Cashless payments will increase
In 2025, we will see the continued acceleration of cashless payments across Africa. B2B payments in particular will also increase. Digital payments began between individuals but are now becoming commonplace for larger corporate transactions.
3. Digital currency will hit mainstream
In the cryptocurrency space, we will see an increase in the use of stablecoins like United States Digital Currency (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are linked to US dollars. These will come to replace traditional cryptocurrencies as their price point is more stable. This year, many countries will begin preparing for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), government-backed digital currencies which use blockchain.
The increased uptake of digital currencies reflects the maturity of distributed ledger technology and improved API availability.
4. Increased government oversight
As adoption of digital currencies will increase, governments will also put more focus into monitoring these flows. In particular, this will centre on companies and banks rather than individuals. The goal of this will be to control and occasionally curb runaway foreign exchange (FX) rates.
5. Business leaders buy into AI technology
In 2025, we will see many business leaders buying into AI through respected providers relying on well-researched platforms and huge data sets. Most companies don’t have the budget to invest in their own research and development in AI, so many are now opting to ‘buy’ into the technology rather than ‘build’ it themselves. Moreover, many businesses are concerned about the risks associated with data ownership and accuracy so buying software is another way to avoid this risk.
6. Continued AI Adoption in Payments
In payments, the proliferation of AI will continue to improve user experience and increase security. To detect fraud, AI is used to track patterns and payment flows in real-time. If unusual activity is detected, the technology can be used to flag or even block payments which may be fraudulent.
When it comes to user experience, we will also see AI being used to improve the interface design of payment platforms. The technology will also increasingly be used for translation for international payment platforms.
7. Rise of Super Apps
To get more from their platforms, mobile network operators are building comprehensive service platforms, integrating multiple payment experiences into a single app. This reflects the shift of many users moving from text-based services to mobile apps. Rather than offering a single service, super apps are packing many other services into a single app. For example, apps which may have previously been used primarily for lending, now have options for saving and paying bills.
8. Business strategy shift
Recent major technological changes will force business leaders to focus on much shorter prediction and reaction cycles. Because the rate of change has been unprecedented in the past year, this will force decision-makers to adapt quickly, be decisive and nimble.
As the payments space evolves, businesses, banks, and governments must continually embrace innovation, collaboration, and prioritise customer needs. These efforts build a more inclusive, secure, and efficient payment system that supports local to global economic growth – enabling true financial inclusion across borders.
Luke Kyohere is the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq
In a heartfelt statement released today, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has extended its warmest congratulations to Ghana’s President-Elect, emphasizing the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s President-Elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.”
The CNPP’s message underscored the significance of free, fair, and credible elections, a standard that Ghana has set and one that Nigeria has previously achieved under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. “It is high time for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the CNPP asserted, calling for a renewed commitment to the electoral process.
Central to CNPP’s message is the insistence that “the will of the people must be supreme in Nigeria’s electoral processes.” The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria CNPP emphasized the necessity of an electoral system that genuinely reflects the wishes of the Nigerian populace. “We must strive to create an environment where elections are free from manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” the CNPP urged, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The CNPP also expressed concern over premature declarations regarding the 2027 elections, stating, “It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
The CNPP viewed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria. “The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders — including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations — to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
As the most populous African country prepares for the 2027 elections, the CNPP urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to democratic principles. “We must work together to ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the statement stated, reaffirming the CNPP’s commitment to promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In conclusion, the CNPP congratulated the President-Elect of Ghana and the Ghanaian people on their remarkable achievements.
“We look forward to learning from their experience and working together to strengthen democracy in our region,” the CNPP concluded.
By Kenechukwu Aguolu
The proposed tax reform, involving four tax bills introduced by the Federal Government, has received significant criticism. Notably, it was rejected by the Governors’ Forum but was still forwarded to the National Assembly. Unlike the various bold economic decisions made by this government, concessions will likely need to be made on these tax reforms, which involve legislative amendments and therefore cannot be imposed by the executive. This article highlights the purposes of taxation, the qualities of a good tax system, and some of the implications of the proposed tax reforms.
One of the major purposes of taxation is to generate revenue for the government to finance its activities. A good tax system should raise sufficient revenue for the government to fund its operations, and support economic and infrastructural development. For any country to achieve meaningful progress, its tax-to-GDP ratio should be at least 15%. Currently, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11%. The proposed tax reforms aim to increase this ratio to 18% within the next three years.
A good tax system should also promote income redistribution and equality by implementing progressive tax policies. In line with this, the proposed tax reforms favour low-income earners. For example, individuals earning less than one million naira annually are exempted from personal income tax. Additionally, essential goods and services such as food, accommodation, and transportation, which constitute a significant portion of household consumption for low- and middle-income groups, are to be exempted from VAT.
In addition to equality, a good tax system should ensure equity and fairness, a key area of contention surrounding the proposed reforms. If implemented, the amendments to the Value Added Tax could lead to a significant reduction in the federal allocation for some states; impairing their ability to finance government operations and development projects. The VAT amendments should be holistically revisited to promote fairness and national unity.
The establishment of a single agency to collect government taxes, the Nigeria Revenue Service, could reduce loopholes that have previously resulted in revenue losses, provided proper controls are put in place. It is logically easier to monitor revenue collection by one agency than by multiple agencies. However, this is not a magical solution. With automation, revenue collection can be seamless whether it is managed by one agency or several, as long as monitoring and accountability measures are implemented effectively.
The proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government are well-intentioned. However, all concerns raised by Nigerians should be looked into, and concessions should be made where necessary. Policies are more effective when they are adapted to suit the unique characteristics of a nation, rather than adopted wholesale. A good tax system should aim to raise sufficient revenue, ensure equitable income distribution, and promote equality, equity, and fairness.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN