The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill criminalizing the export of significant quantities of unprocessed corn, aiming to alleviate the West African nation's escalating food crisis.
These reforms, while intended to stabilize the economy, have fueled inflation and driven informal corn exports to neighboring countries due to favorable exchange rates.
The bill, which requires presidential approval to become law, would prohibit the export of unprocessed maize exceeding one metric ton. Violators would face fines equivalent to the value of the corn or a one-year prison sentence.
This action is driven by alarming projections: a recent joint government and UN report predicts a one-third increase in food insecurity next year, affecting over 30 million Nigerians. Corn, a staple food also used in animal feed and processed foods, is central to this crisis.