By Ibrahim Yaro D-Tofa
Comrade Rabiu Abubakar Tumfafi cautions retailers against profiteering, warns of reputational risks from adulterated grains, and seeks stricter regulation across the value chain.
Kano, Nigeria — The Secretary of the Dawanau International Grain Market, Comrade Rabiu Abubakar Tumfafi, who also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of RABS and SONS Agricultural Products Limited, has urged grain retailers across communities to ensure that price reductions at the market are accurately reflected in their shops.
Comrade Tumfafi, popularly addressed as Garkuwan Matasan Arewa and Danruwantan Magajin Rafin Kano, gave this charge while briefing journalists at his office in Kano. He observed that while wholesale prices at Dawanau often fluctuate downward, some retailers continue to maintain high prices, thereby burdening consumers unnecessarily.
“Those who sell grains in our communities should be fair and transparent. If the prices at Dawanau Market drop, it is only just that they adjust the prices in their shops to reflect the changes. Anything contrary is unfair to buyers and injurious to the economy,” Tumfafi stressed.
The market leader further expressed concern about the rising incidence of adulterated grains in circulation. He warned that such practices, if unchecked, pose significant risks to consumer health and Nigeria’s international trade reputation.
“Whenever adulterated grain is exported from Nigeria, the country is collectively blamed, and Dawanau Market in particular bears the brunt of such accusations,” he explained. “But I want to make it clear that in Dawanau, we only sell grains based on what we source from village markets. Therefore, there is an urgent need for strict regulation and oversight by government agencies to curb the spread of adulteration and protect our name.”
Comrade Tumfafi therefore called on government authorities at all levels to strengthen regulatory monitoring and ensure that quality standards are strictly adhered to across the grain value chain. He emphasized that enhanced supervision would not only protect consumers but also safeguard the integrity of Dawanau Market and sustain Nigeria’s credibility in the global agricultural trade.
Highlighting the market’s strategic significance, Tumfafi described Dawanau as a vital component of West Africa’s agricultural economy, serving as both a local supply hub and an international export gateway.
Industry analysts have consistently underscored that ensuring fair pricing practices and eliminating adulteration will improve consumer confidence, protect the interests of farmers, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading grain supplier in the region.
Comrade Tumfafi concluded by reaffirming the commitment of Dawanau Market leadership to accountability, transparency, and continued collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Dawanau International Grain Market is in Dawakin Tofa Local Government of Kano State has evolved into the largest grain trading hub in West Africa. The market attracts thousands of traders, farmers, exporters, and buyers from within Nigeria and neighboring countries including Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Ghana.
Dawanau serves as a central marketplace for commodities such as maize, sorghum, millet, rice, beans, soybeans, sesame, and groundnuts. It functions as a critical distribution center for local consumption and a major export hub, linking rural farmers to both national and international markets.
The market is widely regarded as a backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, contributing significantly to food security, employment generation, and foreign exchange earnings. Its strategic role continues to make it a focal point in national discussions on agricultural development and trade policy.