Buba Galadima, a prominent political figure and critic of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of deliberately causing a crash in food prices to undermine the economy of Northern Nigeria.
Galadima made the claim during a recent interview with DCL Hausa, alleging that the policy is part of a broader strategy to weaken the North’s economic stability.
Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis recently eased for the first time since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, offering an unexpected respite for households.
A survey of Nigeria market revealed that over there have been a 40% dip in food costs between December 2024 and March 2025.
The survey carried out by Business Day said that an average price of a 50 kg bag of foreign parboiled rice now sells for N85,000, depending on the brand and size of the grain as against N110,000 sold five months ago, in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital
A 50kg of local parboiled rice now sells for an average of N95,000 in the city, compared to N105,000 sold three months ago.
A 50kg of local parboiled rice now sells for an average of N95,000 in the city, compared to N105,000 sold three months ago.
The price of a big basket of fresh tomatoes has dropped 70 percent in Lagos from an average of N120,000 to N35,000. In 2024, Nigerians could not afford to buy tomatoes owing to the price surge that forced consumers to opt for alternatives like banga and paste, combined with dried pepper and beetroot.
Similarly, a 4-litre paint container of garri now sells for N2,500 from an average of N3,500 five months ago, indicating a 28.5 percent increase in price. A 60 kg bag of garri now sells for N37,500.
In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and Onitsha, Anambra State, a big tuber of yam now sells for N2,500 as against N5,500 sold five months ago.
In Port Harcourt and Abuja, onion prices have dropped. It is now possible to buy six to 10 pieces of onion with N1000 as against three or four pieces at the same price three months ago.
Speaking in DCL Hausa, Buba Galadima, claimed the price crash, is not a joy to northern people, adding that Tinubu wants to break north by importing food from crops.
He explained the cause of the food price is because the federal government under President Tinubu has opened the border for massive food importation, especially foreign rice, and disrupted market forces.
“The reasons why the price of food soared was because of insecurity as farmers aren’t able to go to farm to carry out their activities. So, how do the price comes down when farmers are unable to go farm? Even if they had gone to farm, where is the tractor, fertilizers, and others that will bring bumper harvest for the farmers to sell?.
“The government has started massive food importation, and this will make the economy of the North, which depends on agriculture, to dwindle as many won’t be able to farm to gain any meaningful profit, he said.
When asked if he’s part of those hoarding grains to sell for higher profit, he said he’s into farming for his own sake and not for the government to assist or not.
Meanwhile, his claim has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians. Many have accused him of being part of those profiting from the misery of the poor in Nigeria, while others have supported him, arguing that the government’s decision to import grains and other food items is unjust. They pointed out that Northern farmers, who invested heavily in expensive fertilizers this year, will struggle to make a profit due to the influx of imported goods.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=embed_video&v=1178422907218770
Amina Amisco Adamu, a Facebook user said; “Truly this man is wicked, from Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. When food is expensive not like insulting Baba Buhari. They are pretending to do politics with the price of goods, the poor should listen to them. If you say Takala you will make it easy for him he is happy in your life.
“Surely, there is a sign that he has hidden food, and by the grace of God, you will see, it will lose more than that. If the poor will get better, Alhamdulilah. A rich man can buy no matter how much food he is. But what about the poor? Forget about him, he hides food, that is why he is making noise. May God break you those who hide and seek.”
Gwoni Woji with username @GwoniW46607 on X said; “I disagree the President is against the north, but the truth is the cost of production is high in the country and government has done nothing to bring this down but imported grains and gave the mills thereby taking them out of the market,price of food crashed;the farmer loss.
A Facebook user, Ibrahim Yunus Umar wrote; “This is the habit of a northerner if the breaking of the price of food is the breaking of the marketers then we pray to God that the food stocks continue to be broken because of the blessings of this month of Ramadan.”
Umar Namadina said; “You are lying Buba Galadima hypocrite tyrant, they should lose their job, we have a video that you talked when Buhari closed the border, there is no insult you did not do, now you come and say that farmers will be broken, hypocrite, farmers are broken, they will not be given a lot, the farmers and those that don’t farm, who are the most bastard devil Being worried is not a good person
Ibrahim Aminu Dan Alhaji reacted; “I am with you, Engr. Buba Galadima. I know someone will ask for evidence, so here it is: The farmers in the North have already purchased expensive fertilizer this year. Is the farming fertilizer broken? Are the goods controlled by companies not broken, just as the poor masses are broken? Alaji, whether you like it or not, Tinubu wants to break the North because we depend on it for farming. I swear, if they continue like this, Tinubu will cause chaos in the North.
“What are the Southerners looking for? Marine products? What does that have to do with anything? Banana is better than others. Go to the market and see that their prices are increasing every day. And you Northerners, are you happy?? May God help us to succeed, but I swear by God, we will do it again. Is it a must to release a new policy??”
@oil_shaeikh on X said; “Engr Buba Galadima is only saying the literal truth, opening borders to food imports from subsidized economies will only make the local economy suffer. The farmers and owners of rice mill factories and others can no longer be in business because their prices can not be competitive
