Senate Approves Jail Term For Unprocessed Maize Export

The Senate has revised a bill seeking to prohibit the export of unprocessed maize in commercial quantities, introducing a minimum one-year jail term for violators.

The amended bill, originating from the House of Representatives, was passed on Wednesday after the Senate’s Committee of the Whole reviewed its clauses.

Through a voice vote, the senators approved the provisions, which aim to address Nigeria’s ongoing food crisis and support local agriculture.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that under the revised law, anyone found guilty of exporting, facilitating, or attempting to export unprocessed maize—whether in grain, cob, fresh, or dry form—in quantities of one metric ton or more will face penalties. These include a fine equivalent to the monetary value of the goods exported, a minimum one-year prison term, or both. Customs officers or individuals aiding or conspiring in such activities are also subject to these penalties, with the Federal High Court granted jurisdiction over related offences.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), while presenting the bill, highlighted its importance in curbing food shortages and boosting job creation through value-added processing of maize. He urged senators to support the bill, emphasizing its straightforward nature and its successful passage in the House of Representatives.

However, the senator representing Kebbi South, Garba Maidoki, proposed an amendment to exclude maize derivatives—such as corn flour, cornmeal, corn gluten, cornflakes, and cornstarch—from the bill’s provisions. Maidoki argued that the exclusion would support farmers and ensure fairness.

The proposal was seconded by Senator Aminu Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central) and accepted by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session. Jibrin stated that excluding derivatives would promote job creation through the maize value chain.

With the amendment passed, the Senate and House of Representatives must now convene a conference committee to harmonize differences before transmitting the bill to the President for assent. Jibrin assured that the committee would resolve any discrepancies to ensure the bill’s objectives are met.

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