Agriculture Ministry Accuse Finance Ministry of Undue Interference in $310 Million Farming Projects
Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have accused the Ministry of Finance of overreach and power abuse in the handling of $310 million earmarked for crucial farming projects.
According to sources within the Agriculture Ministry, the Finance Ministry has allegedly imposed excessive bureaucratic controls and withheld timely approvals and disbursements, leading to delays in the implementation of projects intended to support millions of farmers across the country.
“These funds are meant to improve access to inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and equipment for our farmers. But we’re being stalled at every turn by unnecessary red tape and power plays,” one senior agriculture official told reporters under the condition of anonymity.
The disputed $310 million funding is part of Nigeria’s strategic initiative to boost domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports amid rising inflation and growing food insecurity.
In response to the accusations, the Ministry of Finance firmly denied any wrongdoing. In an official statement, the ministry said all project-related decisions were made “in line with due process, the Public Procurement Act, and with full regard for transparency and accountability.
“This ministry will not be distracted by baseless claims. Our duty is to safeguard public resources, and that includes ensuring every naira is spent according to law,” the statement read.
This controversy adds to a growing list of governance challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. In 2024, the House of Representatives launched a sweeping investigation into the alleged mismanagement of over N2 trillion in agricultural funds by various ministries, departments, and agencies over the past eight years.
Lawmakers cited poor oversight and systemic corruption as key factors undermining the country’s food security goals.
Compounding these concerns, a 2019 audit revealed that the Agriculture Ministry made suspicious payments amounting to N3.08 billion into personal accounts of 42 staff members.
The funds, disbursed over a four-month period, were flagged for duplicate entries and a lack of clarity on the services rendered.
Despite receiving N341.57 billion for capital projects in 2023—its highest allocation in five years—the Agriculture Ministry was unable to fully utilize the funds, raising questions about capacity and accountability.
Observers warn that the current tensions between the two ministries could derail progress at a time when Nigeria urgently needs coordinated action to confront food insecurity and revitalize its struggling agriculture sector.
As the allegations unfold, calls are growing for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to step in and mediate the conflict, restore inter-ministerial cooperation, and ensure that public funds intended for the nation’s farmers are not lost to political wrangling or inefficiency.
