Reps open investigation into donor-backed interventions over alleged missing N174.26bn agriculture support funds

The House of Representatives of Nigeria has commenced a formal investigation into the alleged non-release of ₦174.26 billion allocated for agricultural intervention programmes, summoning key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as development partners to account for the funds.

The inquiry was announced by the Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Bello Ka’oje, who called on all stakeholders to submit relevant documents and information to enable what he described as a comprehensive and transparent probe.

The investigation stems from a motion sponsored by Ka’oje in late January, which mandated the committee to scrutinise development partner–funded agricultural projects, particularly those supported by the African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, with a view to ensuring accountability and value for money.

As part of its mandate, the committee is examining the reasons ₦174.26 billion in approved intervention funds has allegedly not been released, while also probing the persistent rise in fertiliser prices that continues to burden farmers and constrain food production nationwide.

Ka’oje expressed concern that delays in releasing the funds have deepened food insecurity, despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring a state of emergency on food security in July 2023—a move that opened the door for expanded donor-supported agricultural programmes.

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He disclosed that Nigeria secured $134 million from the AfDB in February 2023, with $99.67 million already paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, leaving ₦55.3 billion outstanding for agro-dealers meant to support 280,000 wheat farmers and 150,000 rice farmers during the 2024/2025 dry season farming cycle.

In a similar vein, Ka’oje noted that 15 billion Japanese Yen was obtained from JICA in April 2024. Although the first tranche of 12 billion Yen—valued at ₦118.96 billion—was disbursed in March 2025, the funds have reportedly not reached the implementing agencies tasked with supporting about 550,000 smallholder farmers across the country.

According to the committee chairman, the delays have already resulted in missed planting windows, reduced output expectations for the 2025 harvest, and could threaten additional AfDB funding tied to a Result-Based Financing framework.

Ka’oje urged all relevant agencies, development partners and stakeholders to work closely with the National Assembly to eliminate administrative bottlenecks and accelerate the release of the interventions, warning that further delays could undermine Nigeria’s agricultural sector and worsen the country’s food security challenges.

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