The much-publicized rice price reduction in Sokoto State has turned into a source of frustration and controversy, as many residents say they are unable to buy the discounted bags, despite government claims.
The Governor, on his X handle on 15th March 2025 wrote, “In a historic step to ease the burden on our people, especially during this sacred month of Ramadan, the Sokoto State Government has signed a landmark agreement with the Union of Commodity Dealers to reduce the prices of food and essential commodities across the state.
“Through this partnership, we are providing financial support to offset costs and ensure affordability, reinforcing our commitment to the welfare of our citizens. This initiative reflects our dedication to empowering communities and promoting economic stability. May this effort bring relief and blessings to all. – AAS”
This announcement of a price cut which include the slashing the cost of a 50kg bag of rice from N65,000 to N48,000 was met with initial excitement
However, the reality on the ground has left many questioning whether this is a genuine effort to ease economic hardship or just a publicity stunt. The reduced-price rice is only available in select locations, amd these locations do not open daily.
Mr. Chiso Dattigo, Chairman of the committee on the sale of rice and essential commodities, explained that the commodities with reduced price arw available only in specific areas, including Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Bodinga, Wamakko, Dang-shum, Kware, and Tudun Wada and more locations will be added soon.
But this assurance does little to calm frustrated residents who argue that a relief program meant for the masses should not be restricted to a few designated areas.
“If this price cut is real, why isn’t the rice in places where everyone can access it and why are the places they are available in not opened daily?” a furious shopper at Sokoto Central Market asked.
An investigation by ASHENEWS at Tudun Wada Palliative Shop—one of the few designated locations—revealed that the shop does not operate daily.
Residents told our Reporter that the shop opens at 10:00 am and closes at 4:30 pm or 5:00 pm simce the time the announcement was made.
This erratic schedule has led to massive crowds scrambling to buy the limited stock whenever the shop opens, making it nearly impossible for many to get a bag before supplies run out. Some customers report being turned away after waiting in long lines, raising concerns about transparency in the distribution process.
To make matters worse, while the government insists the official discounted price is N48,000, some residents claim they bought it for N45,000—suggesting that select buyers may be getting preferential treatment or that middlemen are manipulating the sales.
Meanwhile, a visit to Sokoto Central Market revealed that the price of a bag of rice remains N65,000 — unchanged and unaffected by the government’s so-called intervention. Even though some consumers are suspecting some traders buy from the pallative commodities to sell at the normal rate in the market.
Most traders, like Mr Usman Mohammed, a rice seller at Kofar Doya market, said he had not heard about the price reduction.
He says that he still sell the rice for N65,000 and his customers have not asked about any price change. “I don’t know about the new price or the locations where I can buy the cheaper rice. My customers haven’t told me about it, so I think they don’t know either,” Mohammed said.
Mr. Muhammed Idris, who sells parboiled rice in Babbar Kasuwa at Sokoto Central Market, confirmed that he is aware of the price cut, but none of the traders that he knows have gone to buy such commodities to sell at the market.
“I heard about the price reduction, but I am surprised that many people don’t even know about the price cut,” Idris said, “This feels like a political gimmick rather than a real solution.”
With rising frustration among residents, many are now accusing the government of using the rice price reduction as a publicity stunt rather than a genuine effort to ease the burden of inflation.
