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Daniel Adaji
Three federal agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security spent more than N810m on projects unrelated to their core agricultural mandates in December 2024, according to official records.
The data obtained by Pointblanknews.com from Budgit’s accountability platform, Govspend on Friday reveals that the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), and the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology (FCVMLT) diverted funds to classroom construction, solar streetlights, and hospital equipment—projects falling outside their legally defined responsibilities.
NCAM, based in Ilorin, Kwara State, is tasked with developing and promoting agricultural mechanization technologies. However, on December 12, 2024, it paid N89.3m to Eleku Construction Ltd. for constructing a classroom block in Ogbia Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State.
Additionally, it disbursed N61.2m to Anbez Innovations Ltd. for youth and women empowerment in Ogun State and N61.8m to Ayo Tech Global Venture Services Ltd. for providing tricycles in Oyo State.
NSPRI, also located in Ilorin, focuses on reducing postharvest losses and improving the quality of agricultural produce. Yet, on December 17, 2024, it allocated N173m to Scelta Construction Ltd. for solar street lights in Maiduguri, Borno State. It also paid N85.6m each to Vilakazi Construction and Engineering Ltd. and Bien Electrical Company Ltd. for similar projects in Adamawa and Borno States, respectively.
FCVMLT, situated in Vom, Plateau State, specializes in training professionals in veterinary and medical laboratory sciences. Despite its educational and research focus, on December 31, 2024, it disbursed N135.3m to Pinnatech Engineering (Nig) Ltd. for constructing solar street lights in Rivers State.
Other expenditures include N27m to Idewins Dynamic Ltd. for supplying hospital equipment in Edo State, N26.9m to Beilodev Ltd. for fertilizer supply in Kaduna State, and N27m to Veekites Engineering Ltd. for installing transformers in Edo State.
These expenditures clearly contravene the mandates of the respective agencies, which are designed to focus on agricultural development, research, and training.
Recall that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, recently warned against such practices, saying, “All the programmes and initiatives of the ministry shall be completely aligned to attaining the four presidential priorities which are food security, economic growth and job creation, poverty eradication, inclusivity (youths and women), and enabling environment for individuals, groups and the private sector to participate in governance and economic activities.”
Kyari emphasised that all MDAs under his ministry must stick strictly to agricultural development and not venture into unrelated projects.
The diversion of funds to non-agricultural projects raises concerns about accountability and the effective use of public resources.
It also underscores the need for tighter oversight to ensure that agencies adhere to their core mandates and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security goals.