The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that it borrowed 5,000 metric tonnes of grains from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS).

Nigeria is one of the top countries among the 15 member states of the ECOWAS.

The Federal Government on Sunday said a total of 5,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains were borrowed by Nigeria from the food stock of the Economic Community of West Africa States.

According to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Baba-Shehuri, the FG borrowed 5,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains from ECOWAS.

Punch reports that the Minister made this known while receiving the 3,999 tonnes of cereals donated to the Federal Government by ECOWAS with its donors and financial partners.

Baba-Shehuri explained that to address the incessant worrying food crisis in the West African sub-region, especially in the Sahel, the heads of government of ECOWAS member states decided to establish a Regional Food Security Reserve Programme. The minister said;

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria loaned 5,000MT of assorted grains from ECOWAS stock which was agreed to be paid back on grain for grain basis

“Modalities had been put in place to replace the ECOWAS stock before the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. That notwithstanding, I can assure you that the stock will be replaced in due course.”

On the donation by ECOWAS, the minister said it would be used to support the most vulnerable populations to help mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.