Despite a significant boost in Nigeria’s agriculture budget for 2025, experts argue that the allocation remains insufficient to effectively tackle the country’s food security crisis.
The federal government raised the agricultural budget from ₦362 billion in 2024 to ₦826 billion in 2025, reflecting a 128% increase. However, when compared to other African nations, Nigeria’s funding still falls short. For instance, Egypt allocated $3.79 billion to agriculture in 2024, with plans to increase it further, while South Africa’s budget stood at $894 million.
Experts Express Concerns Over Limited Funding
Despite the budget hike, analysts believe it is still inadequate to address Nigeria’s escalating food crisis. Adebayo Adeleke, a food security expert and founder of Supply Chain Africa, noted that the ₦826 billion allocation (1.7% of the total budget) is too small to resolve the nation’s deep-rooted agricultural challenges.
“This amount cannot make a significant impact in tackling food insecurity,” Adeleke stated.
Financial analyst Adeyemi Taiwo also pointed out that poor funding and unreliable power supply remain key obstacles hindering agricultural productivity.
Persistent Challenges in Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector
Nigeria’s agriculture sector continues to struggle with multiple challenges, including:
- Climate change affecting crop yields
- Low adoption of modern technology
- Inadequate storage and processing facilities
- Poor transportation networks slowing distribution
- High cost of inputs driven by forex fluctuations
- Worsening insecurity displacing farmers
Suleiman Dikwa, CEO of Green Sahara Farms, warned that the budget increase does not align with projections of worsening food shortages in the country.
Rising Food Prices and Inflation Concerns
Nigeria’s inflation rate has continued to surge, hitting a 30-year high of 34.8% in December 2024, up from 34.6% the previous month. Food inflation alone reached 39.84%, reflecting the worsening affordability of essential commodities.
The cost of farming inputs has also skyrocketed, as foreign exchange shortages make it difficult for farmers to import essential supplies. Additionally, insecurity remains a major issue, with armed groups displacing farmers across various regions.
Nigeria’s Unmet Commitment to Agricultural Growth
In 2003, Nigeria signed the Maputo Agreement, pledging to allocate 10% of its national budget to agriculture and target a 6% annual growth rate in the sector. However, over the years, budgetary allocations have fluctuated between 1-2%, falling far below expectations.
Experts caution that the continued neglect of agriculture could exacerbate food shortages and economic instability in the coming years.
Food Security and Global Trends
According to the World Food Programme (WFP) 2025 Global Outlook, an estimated 343 million people in 74 countries are experiencing acute food insecurity, a 10% increase from 2023. Alarmingly, 133 million of these individuals are Nigerians, as highlighted by the Cadre Harmonisé report on food and nutrition.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also predicts a decline in global food production, particularly in key crops like wheat, maize, and sugar. Unfavorable weather patterns, geopolitical tensions, and shifting policies continue to threaten global food supplies.
The Path Forward
Experts stress that achieving food security in Nigeria requires more than just budget increases. Investment in rural infrastructure, efficient supply chains, improved technology, and better stakeholder collaboration are crucial steps in ensuring sustainable agricultural development.
Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari also emphasized that budget allocations alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s food security issues. He urged greater private sector involvement and policy reforms to create a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.
If these structural challenges remain unaddressed, Nigeria risks falling further behind in its efforts to ensure food sufficiency and economic stability in the coming years.
