Reps probe ‘non-release’ of N174.26b agric cash
The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into the alleged non-release of N174.26 billion in agricultural intervention funds, with the Committee on Agricultural Production and Services urging Ministries, Departments
The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into the alleged non-release of N174.26 billion in agricultural intervention funds, with the Committee on Agricultural Production and Services urging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and development partners to cooperate fully with the probe.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Bello Ka’oje, in a statement yesterday, urged all relevant government agencies and stakeholders to provide necessary documents and support to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
The House had, in late January, adopted a motion sponsored by Ka’oje mandating a probe of development partner-funded agricultural projects, particularly those supported by the African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to ensure accountability and prudent utilisation of resources.
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According to the lawmaker, the Committee is specifically investigating the circumstances surrounding the non-release of the N174.26 billion intervention funds and examining the persistent high cost of fertiliser, which continues to affect farmers and food production nationwide.
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He noted that delays in releasing funds secured from international partners have intensified concerns over food insecurity, especially following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security in July 2023, which triggered several donor-backed agricultural interventions.
Providing details, Ka’oje disclosed that Nigeria negotiated a $134 million loan with the African Development Bank in February 2023 to support the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project.
Of this amount, $99.67 million has been disbursed to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, while N55.30 billion remains outstanding for disbursement to agro-dealers supplying inputs to 280,000 wheat farmers and supporting 150,000 rice farmers under the 2024/2025 dry season programme.
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He further revealed that 15 billion Japanese Yen was secured from the Japan International Cooperation Agency in April 2024 as a Food Security Emergency Support Loan. Although the first tranche of 12 billion Yen (N118.96 billion) was disbursed in March 2025, it has yet to be released to the implementing agencies.
The JICA facility, he explained, is intended to support 550,000 smallholder farmers with subsidised inputs for rice, maize, soya beans and cassava production during the 2025 wet season and the 2025/2026 dry season farming cycles.
Ka’oje expressed concern that the funds are time-bound and that delayed release has already caused farmers to miss planting seasons, resulting in reduced output for the 2025 harvest and posing risks to the 2026 farming season.
He warned that about $200 million in additional AfDB funding under a Result-Based Financing arrangement could also be jeopardised due to non-implementation of earlier interventions.
He stressed that the gravity of the situation requires firm commitment to ensure implementation of all interventions to stabilise the agricultural sector and strengthen food security.
The Committee urged all stakeholders and government agencies responsible for fund release and implementation to cooperate fully with the National Assembly in removing bottlenecks hindering progress.
