The House of Representatives has launched a comprehensive investigation into the alleged non-release of ₦174.26 billion in critical agricultural intervention funds. The House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services is calling for full transparency from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and international development partners to account for the bottlenecked resources.
The probe, led by Hon. Bello Ka’oje, follows a motion regarding the management of projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Committee’s mandate includes:
- Fund Tracing: Investigating why ₦174.26 billion in secured intervention funds has yet to reach implementing agencies.
- Input Costs: Examining the persistent high cost of fertilizer despite federal interventions.
- Accountability: Ensuring the judicious use of international loans intended to bolster Nigeria’s food supply.
Hon. Ka’oje highlighted two major international facilities currently stalled in the bureaucratic pipeline:
| Funding Source | Amount / Status | Intended Impact |
| AfDB Loan | $134M total; ₦55.30B balance outstanding. | Support for 280,000 wheat and 150,000 rice farmers (Dry Season). |
| JICA Loan | 15B Yen total; ₦118.96B first tranche disbursed but stuck. | Inputs for 550,000 smallholder farmers (Rice, Maize, Soya, Cassava). |
Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security, these administrative delays have caused many farmers to miss critical planting windows.
“The delay in releasing funds secured from international development partners has heightened concerns over food insecurity,” warned Hon. Ka’oje. “These bottlenecks are reducing the 2025 harvest output and posing a direct risk to the 2026 farming season.”
Furthermore, the Committee warned that failure to implement current interventions could jeopardize an additional $200 million in AfDB Result-Based Financing.
The House Committee urges all stakeholders to provide necessary documentation and support to ensure a thorough investigation. The National Assembly remains committed to removing the structural barriers hindering the agricultural sector and protecting the nation’s food future.
