Why We Asked The Government To Stop Importing Maize And Rice, And They Agreed” Gettado

According to a video posted on Trust TV on Monday November 9, 2026, Alhaji Mohammed Gettado, President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, said the association asked the government to stop importing maize and rice and the government agreed. He said this followed a meeting with the Minister of Finance. He spoke on the programme 30 Minutes.

Alhaji Gettado said other stakeholders were at the meeting, especially rice millers and producers. He said the association insisted that importation must stop. He said anyone who still wants to import should pay duty.

He said the association does not want exemption from taxes and duties for importers. He said that, if importers are made to pay, they will not be able to compete with Nigerian farmers. He added that the government had earlier opened an import window to bring down food prices, but the timing hurt farmers.

In his words, Alhaji Mohammed Gettado said, “We have asked them, and they have agreed to stop importing, especially maize and rice, in the last two weeks.

“We sat down with the Minister of Finance and other stakeholders, especially the rice millers and the producers, and we cried and talked to them. We insisted that importation must stop, and if you want to import, you should pay duty,” he said.

Alhaji Gettado said he did not attend a later meeting with the Minister of Agriculture because he was in Lagos. He said he sent two senior officials, who told him the talks went well. He added that another meeting will take place in a few days and that he would ask for the press to be invited.

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