Rivers Lawmaker Questions Agriculture Ministry’s ₦1.4tn 2026 Budget

News in Brief:

-A Rivers lawmaker has questioned the clarity and accountability of the Agriculture Ministry’s proposed ₦1.4 trillion 2026 budget, citing vague project descriptions.

-The ministry also revealed that about 30% of its 2025 capital funds were not released, affecting project implementation.

A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, has raised concerns over the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s proposed ₦1.4 trillion budget for 2026.

Speaking during the ministry’s budget defence at the National Assembly, Abiante criticised the clarity and structure of the document, saying many of the listed projects lacked proper descriptions. He questioned terms such as “food security gross value chain development” and “implementation of manpower development strategies,” arguing that such phrases make it difficult for lawmakers and citizens to track how public funds will be spent.

For farmers and everyday Nigerians, the debate centres on whether the budget will translate into real improvements such as better rural roads, functioning markets, irrigation systems and support for crop and livestock production.

Breakdown of the 2026 Allocation

The agriculture ministry is set to receive ₦1.4 trillion in 2026, lower than the ₦2.22 trillion allocated in 2025. Out of the proposed 2026 figure, about ₦1.3 trillion is earmarked for capital projects, which typically cover infrastructure, equipment and large-scale agricultural programmes. Meanwhile, ₦136 billion is allocated for personnel costs, and ₦11.25 billion for overhead expenses such as administration.

The budget breakdown shows that about ₦3.2 billion will go toward “Food Security Crops Value Chains Development Programmes” under the ministry’s headquarters.

However, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed that in 2025 the ministry was unable to fully execute its capital projects because around 30 per cent of the allocated funds were not released.

For many farmers, the key concern remains whether funds approved on paper will be released on time and used transparently to support food production and lower food prices.