Drama As FG Counters Earlier Message To Civil Servants

The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has suspended a plan to sell subsidized 50kg bags of rice to civil servants at ₦40,000.

Initially, the government had set up centers nationwide where citizens could purchase the rice at the reduced price as part of efforts to alleviate living conditions.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, highlighted this initiative as one of several measures by the administration to support citizens. A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs had instructed public servants interested in the offer to fill out a form on the OHCSF website and submit it to their human resources department.

However, the plan has now been withdrawn. A notice titled “Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants,” signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, announced the halt. The circular, addressed to Directors and Heads of Departments, instructed them to inform their staff of the decision. The notice also mentioned that further details would be provided later, but it did not explain why the initiative was stopped, leaving many civil servants who had registered for the rice uncertain about the situation.