Nigerian Calls Out FG For Selling Expired Rice To Civil Servants
A northern man who goes by the social media handle Galandaci Bello has called out the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu for distributing expired rice to civil servants as part of its 2024 subsidised relief programme.
Bello, a civil servant in Bauchi, took to social media to share images of the rice sack he received, clearly stamped with an expiry date of February 2025—two months before distribution began in April.
According to Bello, the 50kg bag of Indian long-grain rice, purchased for N40,000 through a Moniepoint platform, was meant to ease the burden of food inflation. But instead of relief, he said, the government handed out “poison disguised as aid.” He shared his payment receipt and photos of the rice sack, demanding accountability from the Ministry of Agriculture and other agencies involved.
His revelation triggered a wave of similar complaints from other public servants who also received expired rice.
Some reported even earlier expiry dates, sparking fears of mass distribution of unwholesome food under a centrally coordinated programme.
The subsidised rice scheme, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in 2024, was branded as transparent and digitally traceable. Yet, there has been no recall, no apology, and no public acknowledgment from the government.
The silence from key agencies, including NAFDAC and the Nigerian Customs Service, has raised serious questions about oversight and regulation.
Health experts warn that consuming expired rice can lead to food poisoning, infections, and in some cases, fatal complications, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women. Despite this, the government has yet to issue a public health advisory or clarify how the expired rice entered and remained in circulation.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that this is not the first time such incidents have occurred. In 2019, IDPs in Bauchi accused the government of sending expired food to their camps. Similar complaints arose in Borno, Benue, and during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.
Even the Customs Service once admitted that a large percentage of imported rice is unfit for consumption due to years spent in storage abroad.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
