Fresh controversy has broken out online after presidential adviser Abdullahi Yakasai defended the Federal Government’s distribution of rice and fertilizer to states as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising food prices.
Yakasai, who spoke during an interview on Wednesday, said the Bola Tinubu administration had supplied rice and 20 trucks of fertilizer to each state to support struggling communities and ease economic pressure on Nigerians.
According to him, the intervention was designed to reduce hardship and assist vulnerable households battling soaring food inflation across the country.
The remarks, however, quickly triggered criticism on social media, with many Nigerians dismissing the initiative as inadequate compared to the scale of the country’s economic challenges.
Several online critics mocked the rice distribution, claiming the quantity allocated per state would amount to an insignificant portion when shared among millions of residents.
Others sarcastically described rice palliatives as the government’s “default solution” to every economic problem, arguing that temporary handouts cannot replace long-term policies capable of improving living conditions.
The backlash reflects growing public frustration over the rising cost of food and worsening inflation, which has continued to place pressure on households nationwide.
Nigeria’s inflation rate recently climbed to 15.38 percent, while food prices remain one of the biggest concerns for many families struggling with transportation, energy and basic living expenses.
Some critics also referenced previous reports of alleged irregularities and distribution challenges linked to earlier palliative programmes, questioning whether the latest intervention would effectively reach intended beneficiaries.
Supporters of the government, however, insist the rice and fertilizer distribution forms part of broader efforts to stabilise food production and support states dealing with economic hardship.
The controversy adds to increasing scrutiny facing the Tinubu administration over its economic reforms and the impact of subsidy removal on ordinary Nigerians.
Public debate around government palliatives has remained intense in recent months, especially as many citizens continue to demand more sustainable measures to tackle inflation, unemployment and poverty.
