Senate advances Senator Mustapha’s cassava flour inclusion bill

The Nigerian Senate has approved the second reading of the Cassava Flour (Mandatory Inclusion in Flour Production) Bill, 2023 (SB 254), introduced by Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central.

This is the third bill from Senator Mustapha to pass the second reading stage within his first 17 months in the National Assembly.

The proposed legislation seeks to mandate the inclusion of 20% high-quality cassava flour in the production of wheat flour and its derivatives. It aims to slash Nigeria’s $3 billion annual wheat import bill, bolster cassava farming, and foster sustainable economic opportunities in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

During the debate, Senator Mustapha, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, emphasized that Nigeria, as the world’s largest cassava producer, harvests over 63 million metric tons annually—about a third of Africa’s total output as of 2021.

He highlighted the opportunity for Nigeria to capitalize on increasing global demand for cassava, including its emerging use in energy production.

The Senator explained that the bill targets the adverse economic effects of wheat importation, such as trade deficits, foreign exchange losses, and over-reliance on external markets.

Key provisions of the bill include tax incentives for producers and importers who adopt cassava flour and guidelines for regulating the cassava-to-wheat ratio in flour production. The proposal aligns with the Federal Government’s 20% Cassava Flour Inclusion Policy, launched in 2021.

“This legislation, once enacted, will drive job creation in agriculture and boost our foreign exchange earnings through cassava exports,” Senator Mustapha stated.

The bill garnered broad support from lawmakers, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Mohammed Monguno, and Senator Abdul Ningi.

The proposed law has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development for further evaluation.