President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a major initiative to overhaul Nigeria’s Silos Concession Programme in a bid to reduce the country’s staggering annual post-harvest losses, estimated at $10 billion. The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen food security, minimize wastage, and promote national food sovereignty.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed that only one of the 17 silo complexes concessioned to five private companies has fully met operational and financial requirements. Flour Mills of Nigeria, operating three silo complexes through separate Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), is the sole exception. Other concessionaires have failed to rehabilitate facilities, with instances of vandalism and infrastructure collapse reported at sites such as Ikorodu and Ogoja.
To address these challenges, the government is partnering with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to enforce compliance, intensify oversight, and ensure that only capable private operators manage silo facilities. A committee has been established to review contracts, assess performance, and set clear guidelines for monitoring and evaluation.
The revitalization effort aligns with President Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda, which prioritizes food and nutrition security. The Federal Government is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s food storage system, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring that silo operations are effective, efficient, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s food sovereignty.
