President Bola Tinubu has vowed to make Nigeria a net-exporter of food in Africa.

Mr Tinubu said, “Nigeria will become a net-exporter of food. We are bringing thousands of tractors. Food production will be greatly expanded through aggressive mechanisation.’’

The President said this on Sunday at the Presidential Villa, where he received a delegation from the Global Tijaniyya Movement, led by Khalifa Muhammad Mahe Niass, according to a statement by his spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale.

Mr Tinubu further said his government is “dedicated to equipping hospitals with modern equipment, providing healthcare professionals with training, and ensuring social welfare for every citizen, including comprehensive health insurance coverage.”

Mr Tinubu’s promise to make Nigeria a net-exporter of food comes as inflation drives food prices up astronomically with citizens protesting over high cost of food in Niger and Kano states.

Last Wednesday, Peoples Gazette published its market survey showing prices of virtually all food items have sharply increased by almost 100 per cent in the past nine, since Mr Tinubu assumed office.

Tope Fasua, an economist and appointee of President Bola Tinubu’s government, also described Nigeria’s “inflation as “killing,” after he conducted a personal market survey In Abuja.

In response to public outcry on rising cost of food driven by skyrocketing inflation in the country, Mr Tinubu directed the ministry of agriculture and food security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grain, including maize, millet and garri.