News in brief:
– The 2% allocation concerns Nigeria’s agricultural development and food security commitment.
– Experts warn that insufficient funding could hinder improving infrastructure, supporting farmers, and enhancing food distribution networks.
The Nigerian government’s 2025 agriculture budget has come under scrutiny for falling short of the Maputo Declaration’s benchmark, according to Adetiloye Aiyeola, Chief Visionary Officer of Awesome Continental.
Speaking on News Central TV’s Business Edge, Aiyeola noted that despite an increase in allocation, the budget does not align with the commitment by African leaders to dedicate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture.
The Maputo Declaration, adopted in 2003, also sets a target of 6% annual growth in agricultural productivity. It aims to improve incomes, create jobs, and ensure food security through initiatives under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Aiyeola expressed concerns that Nigeria’s current budgetary approach is unlikely to achieve these goals.
Concerns over Nigeria’s agro-industrial development
Aiyeola highlighted the critical role agriculture plays in Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) and employing over 70% of the rural workforce. However, he argued that the 2025 budget lacks provisions for essential infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities, and distribution networks.
“With this budget, I don’t see us developing our agro-industrial base,” Aiyeola said. “The private sector is eager to invest in agriculture, but without the necessary infrastructure and an enabling environment, progress will remain limited. Issues like logistics, storage, and insecurity in rural areas must be addressed by the government.”
Budget increase: progress but not enough
The 2025 agriculture allocation has risen by over 100% from ₦230.84 billion in 2024 to more than ₦362.94 billion, with capital allocations increasing by 130%. While Aiyeola acknowledged the progress, he stressed that effective spending is more critical than budget size.
“Nigeria’s problem isn’t food production—it’s food distribution,” he said. “We need better storage systems and logistics to reduce post-harvest losses. Investing in these areas would make a significant difference.”
Aiyeola also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s focus on food security, emphasizing the importance of creating a sustainable agricultural system that ensures access to affordable food for all Nigerians.
“No one should go hungry in Nigeria,” he said. “It’s commendable that the government is taking food security seriously, but we need to do more. Food security encompasses not just farming but also trade, road networks, and efficient distribution systems.”
Call for collaboration
To achieve meaningful progress, Aiyeola called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and other stakeholders. He urged the government to focus on supporting aggregators, food processors, and logistics providers to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
“Food security is not just a government responsibility; it requires input from all stakeholders,” he said. “By working together, Nigeria can develop a more industrialised agricultural system and significantly reduce poverty.”
As the 2025 budget takes shape, experts and stakeholders continue to advocate for increased investment in infrastructure and post-harvest operations to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
