How General Ibrahim Babangida’s Wheat Flour Ban Crippled Nigeria’s Economy and Deepened Suffering – by Ufezime Nelson Ubi

During his time as Nigeria’s military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida made a series of economic decisions that had devastating consequences for the country. One of the most damaging was his ban on the importation of wheat flour, a move that led to the collapse of numerous bakeries, threw thousands of workers into unemployment, and drove up the cost of bread—one of the staple foods of the average Nigerian.

Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, implemented the ban under the guise of promoting local substitutes like cassava flour. While diversification of food production was a noble idea in theory, the reality on the ground was entirely different. The country was ill-prepared for such a drastic shift. Nigeria lacked the infrastructure, technical expertise, and production capacity to seamlessly replace imported wheat with locally sourced alternatives. Instead of boosting the economy, the ban created widespread scarcity and economic hardship.

With wheat flour imports cut off, bakeries across the country struggled to stay afloat. Many were forced to shut down entirely, leading to mass layoffs. Bread, which had been an affordable food item for millions, became scarce and expensive. The price of local substitutes also skyrocketed, leaving many Nigerians with fewer options for their daily meals. This decision disproportionately affected the poor, who relied on cheap and accessible foods for survival.

The ban not only hurt businesses and consumers but also exposed the deeper failures of Babangida’s economic policies. His Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), introduced around the same period, had already devalued the naira, making basic goods more expensive. The wheat flour ban added another layer of hardship to an already struggling population. Instead of strengthening Nigeria’s economy, Babangida’s policies made life unbearable for the masses while benefiting a select few with government connections who found ways to profit from the crisis.

Looking back, Babangida’s ban on wheat flour stands as yet another example of how his regime’s economic miscalculations plunged Nigeria into deeper suffering. The decision was not driven by sound economic planning but rather by the same reckless governance that characterized his administration. It remains one of the many reasons why he is remembered as a leader who prioritized power and control over the well-being of Nigerians.

Even decades later, the impact of Babangida’s failed policies is still felt in the country. His economic blunders set the stage for continued struggles, proving that decisions made in the corridors of power, when not carefully thought out, can leave lasting scars on a nation.