The Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed plans to auction seized food items as part of ongoing efforts to address hunger and ensure the availability of essential goods across the country.
The Comptroller General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the announcement during a sectoral debate series in the House of Representatives, where he highlighted vital measures being taken to alleviate food scarcity.
Comptroller General Adeniyi stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Customs Service to sell locally-produced food items seized at Nigerian land borders directly to vulnerable citizens.
He said the initiative is aimed at tackling hunger and enhancing food availability, particularly for those in need.
He explained, “Mr. President has directed that we sell directly to needy Nigerians food items produced locally but which were seized.
“This is one of the ways to address hunger and food scarcity we are facing. We have started this in Lagos.”
He said that in addition to selling locally produced items, President Tinubu instructed that imported food items seized by the Nigeria Customs Service should be auctioned and sold back to local markets for redistribution to Nigerians.
According to him, the auction is expected to facilitate the circulation of essential food items in local markets, benefiting consumers and the broader agricultural sector.
