FG Sets NIN, IPPIS As Requirements For Accessing Rice Subsidy

The Federal Government has outlined conditions for the sale of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled 50kg rice at a subsidized price of N40,000 per bag. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to address the rising cost of food, with the FG attributing the price surge to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and local challenges affecting food production.

As of the time of the announcement, a 50kg bag of rice is being sold for between N78,000 and N80,000 in different parts of the country. During the launch of the rice sale on Thursday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, emphasized that the rice will be distributed fairly and only to verified individuals. Verification will be carried out using the National Identification Number (NIN), Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and phone numbers. Kyari, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, stressed that each person will be limited to one bag under the “one person, one bag” policy.

Kyari explained that the rice intervention is a response to the current food crisis in Nigeria. “This food intervention can be said to be timely considering the times and challenges we are facing as citizens of this great nation,” he said. To ensure the success of the initiative, the FG has deployed a multidisciplinary task force to oversee the distribution process, with a focus on transparency and fairness.

To prevent abuse of the system, beneficiaries will be carefully verified to stop individuals from obtaining multiple bags, thereby ensuring that more citizens benefit from the scheme.

Speaking on the rice purchasing process, Haruna Sule, Director of Strategic Grains Reserve in the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that civil servants can access the rice at designated points of sale by using their IPPIS details.

“To qualify for the ‘one person, one bag’ system, you must have a NIN, phone number, and for public servants, be registered under the IPPIS platform,” Sule said. He further explained that once the NIN is logged into the system, a code number and treasury receipt will be generated, allowing the buyer to collect their bag of rice at the designated collection center. The receipt will specify the time and location for collection to prevent overcrowding and ensure an orderly process.

This rice subsidy program is part of the government’s broader strategy to alleviate the effects of rising food prices on Nigerians and to promote food security amid ongoing economic challenges.