Moses Adeniyi
……Tensions Rise as Lawmakers Demands Clarity, Accountability in Food Security Spending
A heated confrontation erupted at the National Assembly on Tuesday during the 2026 budget defence of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, exposing deep concerns among lawmakers over transparency, programme clarity, and funding priorities in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The clash, which unfolded during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Agricultural Production, Services and Rural Development, underscores mounting scrutiny over how the Federal Government plans to deploy billions of naira allocated to agriculture amid worsening food inflation and rising production challenges.
At the centre of the exchange was Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, who openly challenged the substance and structure of the ministry’s budget presentation delivered by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi.
Lawmaker Questions Programme Clarity, Federal Character
Abiante faulted what he described as vague and non-verifiable descriptions of key programmes in the ministry’s budget proposal. He questioned whether the proposals complied with federal character requirements and provided sufficient details for lawmakers to effectively carry out oversight responsibilities.
“Does this report conform with the requirements of federal character? A whole lot of what is embedded here has no appropriate description,” he stated during the session.
The situation escalated when the Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Production, Bello Ka’oje, attempted to halt Abiante’s contribution by striking the gavel. The Rivers lawmaker resisted the move, insisting on his right to speak and accusing the committee leadership of attempting to silence dissenting views.
“I was elected by my people to defend their interest, and it is that interest I have come here to defend,” he said, warning that lawmakers risk weakening the budget process if they fail to insist on accountability.
Abiante also criticised broad budget phrases such as “food security gross value chain development” and “implementation of manpower development strategies,” arguing that they lacked measurable targets and operational clarity.
He further raised concerns about plans to upgrade markets across geopolitical zones, noting that market administration largely falls under local government jurisdiction. He also questioned the ministry’s claims of rural road development, stating he had not seen evidence of such projects in his constituency.
Agriculture Ministry Defends Spending Plans
Responding to the criticisms, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, defended the ministry’s budget framework, describing it as part of the Federal Government’s broader response to Nigeria’s food security crisis.
He explained that the ministry’s strategy aligns with the food security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, aimed at boosting domestic food production, strengthening value chains, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on food imports.
According to Abdullahi, the agricultural sector is projected to receive approximately ₦1 trillion in 2026, with about ₦262 billion earmarked for capital expenditure within the ministry and ₦19.18 billion allocated for recurrent spending.
He acknowledged existing constraints, including delayed capital releases under the 2025 budget, revealing that roughly ₦18 billion meant for capital projects remains outstanding. He added that only constituency-linked projects recorded partial disbursement, amounting to about ₦19.8 billion.
“These delays have slowed programme execution and limited our capacity to scale support for farmers,” Abdullahi said.
Rising Input Costs, Mechanisation Challenges
The minister identified rising input costs as the most significant threat to agricultural productivity, attributing the trend to fertiliser production costs, gas pricing policies, and taxation on agro-chemicals.
He also disclosed that over 7,000 tractors previously procured by government remained under-utilised due to poor distribution systems. To address this, he said President Tinubu had approved the procurement of more than 2,000 new tractors, alongside youth training initiatives in tractor operation and maintenance.
Abdullahi further announced that the Renewed Hope Agricultural Project had been renamed the National Urban Agricultural Programme, aimed at promoting grassroots farming and encouraging youth participation through young farmers’ clubs.
He emphasised that improved access to high-yield crop varieties and strengthened extension services remain critical to closing Nigeria’s agricultural productivity gap.
Senate Raises Funding and Farmer Welfare Concerns
Other lawmakers used the session to highlight structural weaknesses affecting the sector. Senator Adamu Aliero warned that farmers were not receiving fair value for their produce, cautioning that the trend could discourage production and increase unemployment.
Similarly, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Saliu Mustapha, expressed concern over declining budgetary allocations to the sector. He noted that while Nigeria’s overall national expenditure is projected to rise to ₦58.47 trillion in 2026, agriculture funding is expected to drop from ₦2.22 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.45 trillion.
Mustapha warned that reduced funding could undermine food security goals and economic recovery efforts.
Broader Implications for Food Security, Economic Stability
The confrontation highlights growing pressure on policymakers to deliver tangible agricultural reforms as Nigeria grapples with rising food prices, supply chain disruptions, and declining household food access.
Agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s largest employers and a critical driver of economic stability. Experts have warned that without improved funding transparency, programme clarity, and effective implementation mechanisms, government interventions may fail to deliver sustainable food security outcomes.
Despite the disagreements, committee leaders assured that lawmakers would continue working with the ministry to produce an evidence-based agricultural budget capable of delivering measurable results for farmers and consumers alike.
The 2026 agriculture budget is expected to undergo further legislative scrutiny before final approval.