Reps launch probe into N174.26bn agricultural intervention funds

By Gift Chapi-Odekina

Abuja—The House of Representatives has begun investigating the alleged non-release of N174.26 billion earmarked for agricultural intervention projects, calling on relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and development partners to cooperate fully with the probe.

The announcement came from Hon. Bello Ka’oje, Chairman of the Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, who urged all concerned stakeholders to provide documents and information to facilitate a thorough and transparent investigation.

The probe follows a motion sponsored by Ka’oje in late January, mandating the Committee to review development partner-funded agricultural projects, particularly those supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to ensure accountability and prudent use of funds.

The Committee is tasked with examining why N174.26 billion in intervention funds has not been released and investigating the continued high cost of fertilizer, which has affected farmers and food production nationwide.

Ka’oje expressed concern that delayed funding has worsened food insecurity, despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring a state of emergency on food security in July 2023, which paved the way for donor-backed agricultural programs.

He disclosed that Nigeria secured $134 million from the AfDB in February 2023, of which $99.67 million has been disbursed into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, leaving N55.3 billion pending for agro-dealers supporting 280,000 wheat farmers and 150,000 rice farmers in the 2024/2025 dry season.

Similarly, 15 billion Japanese Yen was secured from JICA in April 2024, with the first tranche of 12 billion Yen (N118.96 billion) disbursed in March 2025, yet funds have not reached implementing agencies to support 550,000 smallholder farmers.

Ka’oje warned that delayed releases have caused missed planting windows, reduced outputs for the 2025 harvest, and could jeopardize additional AfDB funding under a Result-Based Financing arrangement.

He urged all agencies and stakeholders to cooperate with the National Assembly to remove bottlenecks and fast-track the interventions to safeguard Nigeria’s agricultural sector and food security.

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