The 19 states that make up three regions of northern Nigeria have cumulatively budgeted N1.08 trillion naira as their agricultural expenditure for 2025 fiscal year.
WikkiTimes review of the Statisense data recently released showed that while some states plan to spend huge resources in agriculture, others have shown little commitment in resource allocation to the critical sector.
Recall that over 30 million Nigerians are facing food insecurity according to multiple reports from organisations such as the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
According to the data, Niger and Kebbi states have emerged as the top states in the North to allocate bigger funds for agriculture in the 2025, with Niger proposing N460.11 billion and Kebbi following with N103.07 billion.
Katsina and Kaduna States budgeted N81.64 billion and N74.02 billion while Jigawa pegged the sum of N69.45 billion within the year for agriculture.
In contrast, Kwara, Bauchi, and Gombe states occupy the bottom positions as they show little commitment with only N5.6 billion, N11.29 billion, and N12.79 billion respectively.
Given Northern Nigeria’s heavy reliance on farming, the disparities in funding allocation reflects the commitment of states in ensuring growth, food security, and rural economic empowerment in their entities.
The lower allocations to agriculture raise questions about the prioritization of the sector in states where farming and herding constitute the backbone of economic activities.
Agricultural Needs
Also, while higher allocations suggest an intention to drive agricultural expansion, the concern remains whether these funds will be channelled and utilised efficiently.
Large agricultural budgets have always failed to translate into improved farming infrastructure, increased productivity, or enhanced livelihoods for smallholder farmers over the years in the states.
Critical areas requiring attention include irrigation projects, mechanization, fertilizer distribution, and access to financial credit.
In states with lower budgets, farmers may struggle to access modern farming technology, which could deepen food insecurity and economic hardship.
Additionally, herders, who already face challenges such as grazing land scarcity and insecurity, may not benefit meaningfully from these allocations.
Mismanagement and Corruption
Another pressing concern is whether these budgets will be effectively utilized or mismanaged through corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
In previous years, funds allocated for agricultural development have been marred by cases of misappropriation, where intended beneficiaries rarely receive support.
There have been instances where farming inputs, such as fertilizers and improved seedlings, were diverted or sold at inflated prices rather than being distributed at a subsidised rate to farmers as planned.
