In response to the rising cost of food staples across Nigeria, the Sokoto State Government has introduced a 20 percent subsidy on select essential food items as part of efforts to ease economic hardship among residents.
The initiative, branded Shagon Sauki Na Amadun Alu (translated as “Affordable Market of Ahmadun Alu”), was unveiled on Wednesday by Governor Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto. The programme is designed to provide key food items—such as rice, millet, wheat, cooking oil, and spaghetti—at discounted rates to state civil servants, local government employees, and pensioners.
Governor Aliyu explained that the intervention was part of a broader strategy to cushion the effects of the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to a steep rise in living costs. “This flagship initiative is a palliative response aimed at ensuring that basic food items are made available at highly subsidised rates,” he said.
Under the scheme, notable reductions in food prices have been introduced:
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A 50kg bag of Dangote rice, normally sold for ₦75,000, is available for ₦60,000
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Locally refined rice drops from ₦63,000 to ₦50,400
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Millet (100kg) is reduced from ₦65,000 to ₦52,000
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Wheat (100kg) from ₦80,000 to ₦64,000
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Cooking oil (per gallon) from ₦16,550 to ₦13,240
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A carton of spaghetti falls from ₦17,500 to ₦14,000
Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to alleviating hardship, noting that the programme represents “a strategic and deliberate investment geared towards improving the well-being of our people.”
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, who attended the launch, lauded Governor Aliyu’s efforts, describing him as “a leader consistently focused on the welfare of the common man.”
