The Biochemistry Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BPAoN) has urged farmers to desist from the use of corrosive chemicals as fertiliser to hasten germination of agricultural food commodities.
Farmers
Its President, Mr. Ikotun Olayemi, gave the warning in an interview on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Lagos.
Corrosive chemicals are substances that can damage or destroy other substances they come into contact with, and are immediately dangerous to living tissue.
Olayemi emphasised that planting with corrosive chemicals portends danger to human health, including acute poisoning and long-term health consequences as toxins are released into the body’s circulatory system.
“The effect of toxins in the body’s circulatory system bio-transform, contaminate blood vessels and some other sensitive organs which reduces longevity,” he said.
According to Olayemi, the health risks associated with chemicals in food depend on the type of chemical and the quantity of food consumed.
He stressed that natural foods should be harvested in their natural state, as their components contain antioxidant content that helps the activity of body organs.
Olayemi urged the regulatory agencies to sensitise farmers on the dangers of utilising toxic substances for food production to prevent untimely deaths.
The National Tomato Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) is seeking the intervention of the Federal Government to reduce post-harvest losses of the produce.
Baskets of tomato
Chairman of NATPAN, Kaduna State chapter, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, made the call in an interview on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Lagos.
Zuntu noted that the government’s intervention would help the sector to cut-down on post-harvest losses.
He said that with the appropriate equipment and facilities tomato farmers would reduce post-harvest losses of the produce.
This, he said, would increase value addition and enhance the growth of the sector.
“Most farmers cannot afford loans for these equipment to aid reduction of post-harvest losses because they are smallholder farmers.
“The government can help tomatoes farmers reduce post-harvest losses by coming to their aid with interventions.
“One of the ways to reduce post-harvest losses in tomato cultivation is to increase the use of plastic crates in the transportation of the produce from the farm to the market; from the north to other parts of the country.
“With the use of plastic crates for the transportation of tomatoes from one part of Nigeria to the other, the rate of post-harvest losses will be reduced,” Zuntu said.
According to him, the association is in various partnerships to help smallholder tomato farmers cut-down on their losses through mechanisation.
“As an association, we are in partnership with some existing and new processing facilities to cut down post-harvest losses and the increase of the income of our farmers.
“With these tomatoes processing machines even the glut we usually witness between January and February every year will be considerably reduced.
“The production of local tomato processor is one of the cleanest way of drying tomatoes and adding value as well as increasing the farmers income and the growth of the sector.
“Some non-governmental organisations have also introduced solar dryers for tomato preservation.
“The farmers have shown interest in it, so, we are going to adopt it, despite the high cost of the dryer, some farmers cannot afford it.
“So, as an association we are gathering farmers in clusters to be able to afford the solar dryers and reduce post-harvest losses.
“Hence, the urgent need for government intervention in the sector,” Zuntu said.
A Chinese research team from Guangxi University has successfully decoded the genome of the modern cultivated sugarcane variety Xintaitang No. 22 (XTT22).
Sugarcane
It sheds light on the highly complex allopolyploid genome of sugarcane and its evolutionary mechanisms.
Sugarcane plays a vital role in the production of sugar, alcohol, and bioenergy, offering substantial economic and agricultural value.
XTT22 was once the leading sugarcane variety in terms of planting area in China for 15 consecutive years.
More than 90 per cent of the country’s fourth and fifth-generation sugarcane varieties were developed using it as a parent.
According to Liu Yaoguang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the genome of XTT22 decoded in this study is the most complete and highest-quality genome assembly of modern cultivated sugarcane to date.
Another CAS academician, Han Bin noted that since the launch of the Sugarcane Expressed Sequence Tag (SUCEST) project in the 1990s.
It happened in countries such as Brazil, France, China, Australia, and the United States have been jointly working to advance sugarcane genomics.
However, earlier genome drafts of sugarcane faced significant issues, including incomplete chromosomes and highly fragmented sequences.
As a result, obtaining a complete and accurate genome of modern cultivated sugarcane has remained elusive.
“This study is like drawing a detailed ‘map’ of the sugarcane genome.
“In the past, the ‘map’ was so vague that we could only roughly navigate it,’’ said Zhang Jisen, research team leader from Guangxi University.
“Now, however, every ‘street’ and even every ‘room’ on the ‘map’ is marked,’’ Zhang added.
Sugarcane breeding primarily relied on traditional hybridisation methods, where parent plants were selected based on experience to observe the performance of their offspring.
However, this approach proved to be both time-consuming and inefficient.
Leveraging advancements in genomics, scientists can now use the genomic map to precisely pinpoint genes closely associated with sugarcane yield and sugar content, enabling more targeted improvements and optimisation.
“With the widespread application of genomics in sugarcane breeding, the yield, sugar content, and disease resistance of sugarcane are expected to see further improvements,’’ said Zhang.
The research was recently published in the journal Nature Genetics.
Mele Kyari, a geologist and Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has dug his way into the tunnel of history. Within a space of two months, he announced the successful revamp of two refineries. In November 2024, Port Harcourt refinery came on stream. The following month, December, Warri refinery burst back to life.
GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari
Both are not performing optimally, yet. But the journey has only just begun. Kaduna refinery is projected to begin production later this year. And if all goes well, a substantial percentage of the nation’s local petrol consumption would be sourced in-country. The implication on forex, job creation and economic reflation is enormous, positively.
So what? Some Nigerians have asked this question. I won’t even tag them naysayers. There is a tincture of justification in their rage. But if such Nigerians did not rage against those who in the past brought the refineries – Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna – to ruins, they should not shudder at the celebratory dance of President Bola Tinubu and his laudation of Kyari and his team for achieving both the improbable and the impossible.
After many years of redundancy, after several failed attempts to restream the moribund refineries with billions of dollars wasted in the fitful misadventures, someone has finally belled the cat. Such a person deserves a worthy pat on the back.
Little wonder, President Tinubu was gushing at the news of Warri refinery cracking back to life. Here, I salute the wisdom of Tinubu in keeping Kyari on his job. Against a crude and virulently malicious campaign to get Kyari out of the way, Tinubu ignored the mob and renewed Kyari’s tenure. One of the missteps of the past was a high and volatile turnover of leadership at the nation’s oil and gas behemoth.
Commonsense management will tell you that job insecurity, at any level, is antithetical to sustainable planning for long term goals. Fixing a refinery, especially one that has been rendered comatose for many years (with some bolts and parts gone rusty) is not a one-hour flight. It’s a long-distance haul, requiring patience, precision and meticulous planning.
Had Kyari been shoved aside to fit the script of his “enemies” and political mandarins seeking to give “wise” counsel to Tinubu, these refineries would never have come on stream. In the stereotypical Nigerian way, the new management would have reviewed the contract, reworked the papers and even re-awarded aspects of the contract to another corporate. Herein is the wisdom of Tinubu in retaining Kyari highly commendable.
As more Nigerians push for the refineries to attain 100 percent production efficiency, it is apposite to state what Kyari did differently. How did Kyari succeed where many others in the past failed woefully?
Dateline: October 21, 2021, NAF Conference Centre, Abuja: Kyari was Special Guest of Honour at the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference. He spoke off the cuff on the subject, “Insecurity as it affects the Oil and Gas sector.” He showed a good grasp of the malaise that has afflicted the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He, however, raised a banner of hope that under his watch, “things are now done differently.” He said issues of refineries not working, crude oil theft, among others, are all traceable to the Nigerian elite which include the editors and everyone present at the event.
Kyari said that refineries had become comatose because the leadership elite had been doing things the wrong way over the years by relying on the builders of the refineries to come to Nigeria to fix the refineries. This model, he explained, does not happen anywhere because there are specialists whose business is to fix such refineries. They are not the builders, but their job is to fix them when they break down. He called such companies EPCs (Engineering, Procurement and Construction). He gave an analogy: “You cannot ask Toyota to come down to Nigeria to fix your Toyota car. You give it to a technician. This is the error we have been repeating over the years.”
He credited President Muhammadu Buhari for giving his management the free hand to do the right thing. “This is the first time in history that NNPC and its subsidiaries are allowed to do things the way things should be done. Now, I can confirm to you that we have taken responsibility, and we will fix the refineries. We have started the process, contractors have been mobilised to the Port Harcourt refinery, while the same process for Warri and Kaduna refineries will be concluded by the end of this year,” he told a now excited crowd of over 200 editors, representatives of several government agencies including security agencies and the private sector. He got a standing ovation afterwards.
Fast forward. Three years later at the twilight of 2024, two of the refineries had become operational once again all because Kyari walked a different path. It’s no magic. Just focused, honest leadership. Kyari had been sincere as the helmsman of the NNPC even to his own hurt. The first NNPC honcho to open the ledger for public scrutiny. He did not only audit NNPC accounts, but he also got them published.
And for once in ages, Nigerians got to know the assets, liabilities, strength and weaknesses of the company they own. Kyari has shown that he is a different breed of leader, a transformational leader who has used the same personnel at NNPC, in the same country, against the same headwinds to achieve milestones, some once thought unattainable.
Retaining Kyari, a man he did not appoint, is one of the smartest decisions of President Tinubu. Kyari bestrides two worlds in Nigeria’s oil and gas history. The pre-PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) and the post-PIA, a delicate transition that required experience, emotional intelligence, industry knowledge, and leadership savvy. If the transition was a kind of exam for him, the geologist, earth scientist of crude oil marketer of renown simply aced it. He proved one thing: Nigeria’s challenges can be surmounted by Nigerians.
He deserves all the Presidential plaudits and a green ribbon around his neck as a memorial of national honour.
Sir Ken Ugbechie is Publisher, Political Economist
As world enters a new year, citizens across Nigeria are expressing high hopes and expectations for a better-performing health sector.
Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
In separate interviews on Monday, January 6, 2025, in Abuja, some expressed their concern.
From Lagos to Kano, and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, they called for transformative reforms to address systemic challenges, improve healthcare access, and ensure equitable services for all.
One recurring demand is for the government to allocate more funding to the health sector.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria’s health expenditure as a percentage of GDP remains below the recommended standard.
Citizens urged the federal and state governments to prioritise investments in healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Mr Bashir Adamu, a community leader in Kaduna, said that many of the state’s health facilities are dilapidated, lacking essential equipment and medications.
Adamu called for functional hospitals and well-equipped primary healthcare centres in every local government area.
Stakeholders are also advocating for improved access to affordable healthcare services.
Rising out-of-pocket expenditures continue to burden households, especially the poor.
The stakeholders called for an expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the adoption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policies.
Mrs Joy Chika Nwankwo, a school teacher in Enugu, said that healthcare should not be a privilege for the rich.
“The government must make health insurance accessible and affordable for everyone, including informal workers,” she said.
With Nigeria bearing one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, women groups and advocacy organisations call for immediate action to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Mrs Fatima Usman, a midwife in Maiduguri, said that there was a need to ensure that every pregnant woman had access to quality antenatal care and safe delivery services.
According to Usman, no woman should die giving life.
The exodus of healthcare workers from the country is another issue of concern.
Many Nigerians hope that the government will address this brain drain by improving the welfare and working conditions of health professionals.
“Better salaries, continuous training, and incentives will encourage our doctors and nurses to stay and serve their communities,” said Dr Olu Balogun, a public health physician in Lagos.
The recent Mpox outbreak and the lingering threat of diseases like cholera, Lassa fever, and malaria have heightened the call for a stronger public health response.
Public health experts urged the government to strengthen disease surveillance systems, improve vaccination coverage, and ensure rapid responses to emergencies.
“lNgozi Okafor, a parent in Abuja, urged the government to invest in public health preparedness and ensure every child gets vaccinated.
Citizens are optimistic that the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, under Minister Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, will bring the much-needed transformation.
However, they stressed the need for transparency and accountability in implementing health sector policies and programmes.
According to Adebola Taiwo, a civil society activist, we have capable leaders, but they must ensure that allocated funds are used judiciously to the benefit of the average Nigerian.
The Nigerian Army has uncovered 20 illegal refining sites and apprehended 11 suspected operators of the facilities during ongoing raids in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
An illegal bunkering site in Ikarama, Bayelsa, used by oil thieves to store adulterated diesel, seized by troops of the Nigerian Army 6 Division during ongoing raids in the Niger Delta
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, Spokesman for the Nigerian Army 6 Division in Port Harcourt, announced on Monday, January 6, 2025, that troops had also dismantled the illegal refineries.
He said that soldiers also confiscated 31 boats, seven vehicles, and 190,000 litres of various petroleum products, and arrested 11 suspected oil thieves between Dec. 30 and Jan. 5.
“At Oando Wellhead in Benkrukru, within the Okordia general area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, troops discovered four oil sewage tanks containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“We also recovered 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in sacks, along with a suction machine.”
Danjuma said that troops subsequently advanced to Amalaghakiri community in the Nembe area of Bayelsa, where two additional illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 15,000 litres of unidentified petroleum products were seized.
In Oyeregbene, Southern Ijaw, he said, soldiers dismantled an illegal artisanal refinery and consficated 1,500 litres of stolen products.
“In Omoku, Rivers, troops interrupted oil thieves siphoning petroleum products. The suspects fled before we arrived.
“At the scene, we discovered an illegal connection point on the Oando Pipeline in Ebocha, and seized four boats carrying over 22,000 litres of stolen products.
“In Obiafu oil field and Mbgede in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, troops dismantled four illegal refineries and confiscated five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, and 38,000 litres of petroleum products,” he added.
The army spokesman stated that further operations in Ozaa West, Obuzor and Okoloma communities led to the dismantling of two illegal refineries.
“Other seized items included 32 drum pots, 21 drum receivers, two pumping machines, and 13,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.’’
He added that soldiers on routine patrol along the Pan Ocean Nigeria Ltd. pipeline in Ivada, Ethiope West, intercepted vehicles engaged in illegal activities.
“Two J5 Boxer vehicles were found transporting 15 cellophane bags containing 7,500 litres of stolen products.
“Additionally, 2,500 litres of crude oil were seized at Ikengbensi waterways in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta.
“Eight drums, holding approximately 2,240 litres of petrol were intercepted at Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, awaiting smuggling to a neighbouring country,” Danjuma said.
He said that the suspects would be taken to court to defend the allegations.
“The General Officer Commanding the division, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, has urged troops to intensify their efforts to eradicate all illegal refining sites across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states in 2025.’’
A climate activist, Ms. Gloria Bulus, founder and Executive Director of Bridge That Gap Initiative, an NGO, has been conferred with the traditional title of “Jakadiyan Climate Kudenden”, in Kaduna.
Gloria Kasang Bulus
The title, which means “Climate Ambassador”, was conferred on Bulus by Chief Gabriel Galadima, Chief of Kudenden, Gwagwada District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Mr. David Chabsen, Council Secretary announced the conferment in a letter, made available in Abuja on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Chabsen said the conferment was due to Bulu’s service to humanity, especially about climate change.
He said that the date for the official turbanning would be announced in due course.
Reacting to the development, Bulus, who is also the Coordinator of the Network of Civil Society in Environment, expressed joy at the recognition.
“This recognition highlights the importance of climate advocacy and strengthens my commitment to promoting sustainable practices within our communities.
“For years, some of my friends have affectionately called me the ‘Green Queen’ or ‘Climate Queen’. My journey has been filled with encouragement.
“About five years ago, a friend even gave me the name ‘Jakadiyan Climate’ and has been waiting confidently for it to become a reality.
“His unwavering belief that this moment would come has made the announcement of the title on Jan. 4 even more special,” she said.
She thanked Galadima for the honour which she described as “prestigious”.
“Indeed, this is an incredible honour. I am excited about the upcoming turbaning ceremony and the opportunities it will bring to further strengthen our collective efforts toward a sustainable future,” she said.
Bulus expressed commitment to collaborate more with local leaders and organisations to address critical issues surrounding climate change and to enhance community’s resilience.
Bulus, a Nigerian climate change activist, had in 2020 bagged the Alfredo Sirkis Memorial Green Ring Award from former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore.
The Green Ring Award is presented to outstanding Climate Reality Leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to their role as climate communicators and activists.
“This award is the highest honour given by the Climate Reality Project.
“It is a result of my commitment as a climate educator, advocate, and activist,” she said.
The Port Harcourt Refinery commenced operations and its first truck-out of petroleum products on Nov. 26, 2024, in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility.
Port Harcourt Refinery
The refinery is managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC).
The truck-out signaled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market after years of dependence on imported products after government owned refineries became moribund.
Located at Alesa Eleme area of the garden city, with refining capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd), the refinery comprises two operational units which were established in 1965 and 1989.
The rehabilitated old refinery is currently operating at 90 per cent of its installed 60,000 bpd capacity, refining Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, Household Kerosene (HHK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), known as diesel, among others.
The resumption of the refinery after it had achieved its mechanical completion and flare start-up in 2023, followed scepticism and criticisms from some critics.
Some stakeholders, like oil marketers and the society of engineers, had also toured the refinery and confirmed its functionality.
On Sept. 15, the 650,000-bpd capacity Dangote refinery, which commenced operation in 2023, began the supply of PMS from its gantries to marketers, with many agreements signed with marketers for supply consistency and affordability.
On Dec. 30, the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Delta, managed by the NNPC Ltd., also commenced operations after years of being moribund.
The 125,000 bpd Warri refinery, which was commissioned in 1978, had been shut down for rehabilitation in 2021 with Daewoo Engineering as the EPC contractor.
The refinery, which is currently operating at 60 per cent of installed capacity, resumed operations after the NNPC Ltd. restarted the 60,000-bpd old Port Harcourt refinery in November.
It is currently processing 75,000 bpd, which translates to 60 per cent of installed capacity, and produces 2.9 million litres of diesel, 1.9 million litres of kerosene and 4.9 million litres of fuel oil.
The production of PMS, according to the NNPC Ltd., will follow in the days ahead as other units of the refinery come on stream.
The coming on board of the refineries had spurred competition in the deregulated sector, and Nigerians expect the price of petroleum products coming down considerably as a result of this.
Recently, Dangote refinery reduced the ex-depot price of PMS from N970 per litre to N899.50 per litre.
The refinery signed a partnership with MRS Oil Nigeria Plc to sell at N935 per litre nationwide; while the NNPC Ltd. announced reduction in its ex-depot price from N1,020 per litre to N899 per litre.
This move, which had stimulated downstream sector competition, and aimed at responding to the competitive dynamics and impacts of deregulation, was also lauded by the oil marketers and experts.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to privatise the state-owned refineries, including the Warri and Kaduna refineries, as part of its broader reforms to enhance transparency, competition, and operational efficiency in the downstream petroleum sector.
The presidency had, in 2024, announced plans for the complete privatisation of the state-owned refineries for local oil refining and production to peak steadily.
Dr Maurice Ibe, an Oil and Gas Industry Consultant, said that the privatisation of the refineries would enhance the efficient operation of the refineries, promote healthy competition and create a level playing field in the industry.
Ibe, a Consultant to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said that the NNPC Ltd. had clearly demonstrated lack of capacity to efficiently run and maintain the refineries.
According to him, placing the refineries in private hands will greatly improve the productivity of Nigeria’s oil economy.
He said that without effective and functional refining system, Nigerians would never see a reasonable drop in petroleum prices soon.
“Though the Port Harcourt Refinery is functional, it is not producing at full capacity to have the level of impact that it should have on pump prices.
“Until the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries start working optimally and producing at full capacity for independent marketers to load, the country will still be dependent on Dangote refinery,” he said.
While highlighting some basic parameters for measuring the functionality of refineries, he said that a functional refinery must have the capacity to load at least 200 trucks of 50,000 litres of petrol daily.
“Irrespective of what the NNPC Ltd. and dignitaries are saying concerning the refinery, the fact remains that the basic yardstick to measure the success or productivity of the state-owned refineries is still lacking.
“There have been loading from the refinery but it has not loaded more than 10 trucks daily since it resumed. I have my members on ground.
“No matter what it loads, if the IPMAN has not started loading, you can not make an impact nationwide,’’ he said.
An Economist, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, said that the coming on stream of more functional refineries in the country was expected to crash the prices of petroleum products.
Ekechukwu said that there would be free market economy with more innovations.
“Free market economy means that there should be free entry and free exit. It also brings competition and prices of goods and services lower.
“With the Dangote, Port Harcourt Warri, and other modular refineries coming on stream, we are better for it as a country and as an economy.
“The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will also be enhanced, while more employments would be created,” he said.
Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, National President, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), advocated for the privatisation of government-owned refineries to reputable private companies.
Gillis-Harry said that such a move would improve efficiency and reduce government expenditure.
He said that it would foster a competitive market and encourage new entrants to eliminate monopolies, ensure fair pricing, and enhance regulatory compliance through a robust monitoring framework.
He called for the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the performance of downstream operators and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
“There should be continuous investment in critical infrastructure and preventive maintenance, such as refineries, pipelines, and storage facilities, to improve the country’s refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
“Development of local content by supporting indigenous companies and providing incentives for research and development in the downstream sector should be encouraged.
“Private sector participation should be encouraged to increase access to funding and expertise. Regulatory frameworks should be reviewed to reduce operational costs and attract investment,” he said.
To boost Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, he recommended that crude oil should be made available for local refineries.
Speaking on the downstream competition, he said that the prices of the Dangote Refinery were initially competitive, putting pressure on the NNPC Limited to review its pricing strategy.
According to him, this competition will ultimately benefited consumers, who enjoyed relatively stable and lower prices for petroleum products.
By Emmanuella Anokam, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Nigeria faces a significant and escalating crisis of hunger and poverty, driven by a combination of economic challenges, conflict, climate change, and inadequate agricultural production. As of 2025, it is projected that 33.1 million Nigerians will experience acute food insecurity, a stark increase from 25 million in previous assessments.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari
This represents an alarming rise of 7 million people from the previous year due to factors such as economic hardship and climate shocks. Approximately 5.4 million children and 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are at risk of acute malnutrition. Of these, about 1.8 million children could face Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), requiring urgent nutritional intervention.
The northeastern states – particularly Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe – are the most affected, with 4.4 million food insecure individuals residing in this region alone. The country has been grappling with record high inflation rates, reaching 40.9% for food items, which exacerbates the affordability crisis for necessities. Ongoing violence and insecurity across the country further complicates food security efforts; the conflict and attacks has severely disrupted agricultural activities, leading to reduced food production. Aside the insecurity, Nigeria is highly vulnerable to periodic droughts and floods that adversely affect agricultural output. These climatic events have increased vulnerability among rural populations who rely heavily on subsistence farming.
The relationship between poverty and hunger in Nigeria has deep historical roots. Despite being rich in resources, successive governments have struggled to provide adequate food security for its citizens. A historical review indicates that poverty rates have increased significantly over the decades; for instance, the proportion of Nigerians living below the poverty line rose from 27% in 1980 to 70% in 1999, reflecting systemic issues in governance and resource management. Looking ahead, the situation is expected to worsen if immediate interventions are not implemented. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that without urgent support, Nigeria may face unprecedented levels of hunger by mid-2025, particularly during the lean season when food availability typically declines,
The role of the budget in addressing hunger and poverty in Nigeria is crucial, as it directs financial resources towards key sectors that can alleviate these issues. The 2025 budget proposed by President Bola Tinubu is designed to tackle inflation, improve food security, and support agricultural productivity, which are essential for combating hunger and poverty.
On December 18, 2024, the President presented the 2025 Budget – a record N49.74 trillion, a 41.9% increase from the previous year. Dubbed “The Restoration Budget: Securing peace, Rebuilding prosperity”. 33% of the total proposed budget (NGN16.32 trillion) will be used to service loans and debts, 28% will be used for recurrent expenditure like personnel cost and overheads in running the government, 30% will go into administrative and public capital projects and programs, while 9% are for statutory expenses.
The 2025 budget for the agricultural sector in Nigeria has raised significant concerns regarding its adequacy and effectiveness in addressing the pressing issues of food security, inflation, and rural poverty. The 2025 agricultural budget reflects a concerning trend of underinvestment in a sector critical for national food security and economic stability. The allocations are insufficient given the challenges posed by inflation, insecurity, and rural poverty.
The proposed agricultural budget for 2025 is alarmingly low, constituting only 1.28% of the total Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) budget. This allocation is below the Maputo Declaration target, which advocates for a minimum of 10% of national budgets to be dedicated to agriculture. This leaves a gap of ₦4.33 trillion between the actual allocation and the ideal level of funding required to meet international benchmarks.
The sum of NGN636.08 billion was budgeted for the sector in 2025, a far drop from the sector allocation in 2024. In 2024, a total of NGN996.9 billion was allocated to the sector, in 2023 the sector got NGN626.99 billion and NGN462.19 billion in 2022.
With inflation rising as high as over 30% in 2024, the real value of the budget allocation to the sector would have dropped to approximately – NGN616.99 billion (loosing over NGN19.1 billion due to inflationary pressure) should inflation persist and refuse to drop to the target of 15% as optimistically speculated. President Tinubu aims to reduce inflation from 34.6% to 15% and improve the exchange rate from approximately ₦1,700 to ₦1,500 per US dollar by 2025.
However, these goals are contingent upon increasing food supply and agricultural production to alleviate high food imports that pressure the Naira’s value. However, the current agriculture budget lacks the scale and strategic focus needed to drive such transformations. The current state of food inflation is alarming and poses a direct threat to achieving these economic goals. Without significant improvements in agricultural output and security measures, it is unlikely that these targets can be met.
More than often over 70% of the allocations are for capital expenditure – not necessarily in food production alone or mechanisation of food value chain, but also most a fraction of capital allocation on administrative capitals such as renovation, construction and supplies administrative capitals i.e. buildings and office vehicles, etc.
Per Capita Spending: With over 230 million Nigerians, if the entire agricultural budget were allocated solely for food production, it would amount to approximately ₦2,725.96 per person for the year. When considering capital expenditure, this figure drops to around ₦2,060.17 per Nigerian, indicating insufficient funding for essential agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and machinery.
Rural Population Impact: Given that the rural population of 109 million people and more – who are primarily engaged in agriculture – comprises about 45-47% of the total national population, their share of the agricultural budget would be roughly ₦5,800 per person, with capital expenditure contributing approximately ₦4,383. This level of funding is inadequate to meet their needs or to stimulate meaningful agricultural growth.
The persistent insecurity in rural areas, where most farming occurs, continues to hinder agricultural productivity. Without robust unbiased law enforcement and justice mechanisms to combat violence against all Nigerians, hunger will continue to be a significant issue. Security agencies must be fully empowered and supported to combat all forms of insecurity, while justice must be impartial and thorough in holding sponsors, perpetrators, and enablers of violence accountable. Until farms become safe, hunger and food insecurity will persist, undermining broader economic progress.
Agriculture Sector Budget Allocation, Releases, and Utilisation – The agriculture sector in Nigeria has shown a consistent pattern of underperformance in terms of budget allocation utilisation and fund releases. A closer examination of quarterly data reveals significant inefficiencies that hinder the sector’s capacity to deliver on its goals of boosting food production and economic growth.
In Q2 2022, ₦386.65 billion was allocated for capital expenditure, but only ₦36.6 billion (9.46% of the allocation) was released, with a utilisation of ₦8.34 billion. This translated to just 2.16% of the allocation being utilised and 22.79% of the released funds effectively applied. These figures highlight severe inefficiencies in the disbursement and utilisation of allocated funds during this period. However, in Q4 2022, there was a significant improvement, with ₦102.49 billion allocated and ₦236.43 billion released. Utilisation during this quarter reached ₦209.07 billion, equating to an impressive 203.98% of the allocation utilised and 88.43% of the released funds. This exceptional performance indicates that when the sector receives adequate resources and addresses implementation bottlenecks, it can achieve substantial results.
The trend shifted again in 2023, with mixed outcomes. For instance, in Q2 2023, ₦341.57 billion was allocated, but only ₦48.12 billion (14.09% of the allocation) was released, with a utilisation of ₦9.54 billion. This resulted in 2.79% of the allocation being utilised and just 19.83% of released funds applied. While Q3 2023 showed improvement, with ₦341.57 billion allocated and ₦128.24 billion released, utilisation reached ₦109.89 billion, reflecting 32.17% of the allocation utilised and 85.69% of released funds applied.
This progress underscores the potential for better performance when releases are timely and adequate. However, in Q4 2023, despite ₦409.27 billion being allocated and ₦321.26 billion released, utilisation fell to ₦56.95 billion. This equated to just 13.92% of the allocation and 17.73% of released funds, signifying inefficiencies and delays in fund application.
In 2024, the allocation for agriculture increased significantly to ₦886.65 billion in Q2, but no data is available on releases or utilisation for that period. This lack of transparency raises concerns about whether the sector can manage larger allocations effectively.
The data reveals a troubling trend of low utilisation rates across most quarters, often below 15% of allocations, except for notable exceptions like Q4 2022 and Q3 2023. This poor performance stems from inefficiencies in planning, disbursement delays, and weak project implementation. Inconsistent release patterns further exacerbate the problem, with some quarters receiving releases exceeding allocations, as seen in Q4 2022, likely due to carryovers or additional funding.
These challenges have far-reaching implications. Low utilisation rates hinder the sector’s ability to address critical issues such as food security, inflation, and import dependency. They also highlight systemic governance issues, including weak planning, lack of accountability, and delays in fund disbursement, which collectively undermine the sector’s potential.
To address these issues, several recommendations are crucial. First, fund disbursement timelines should align with the agricultural calendar to ensure timely implementation of projects. Second, mechanisms for planning, monitoring, and implementing agricultural initiatives need to be strengthened to improve utilisation. Third, transparency and accountability in fund management should be enhanced through better oversight.
Accountability and Transparency Challenges in the Management of Public Finance: Beyond the poor utilisation rates, the Ministry of Agriculture, like many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria, faces a critical lack of accountability and transparency in managing public finances. The absence of project reporting for core programmes and initiatives is a glaring gap within the Ministry. This issue is not isolated to the Ministry of Agriculture but reflects a systemic trend across most MDAs.
Key agencies such as the Budget and National Planning Ministry, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Auditor General of the Federation have shown a concerning level of complacency in ensuring open budgets, operational reporting, and public access to the actual expenditures and financial accounts of these MDAs. This lack of oversight perpetuates inefficiencies, waste, and mismanagement in the utilisation of public funds.
For example, while Nigerians continue to grapple with the dual challenges of climate change and pest-related agricultural losses, substantial budgetary allocations are directed toward pest control programmes under the Ministry of Agriculture and its Quarantine Agencies. Despite these allocations running into billions of naira, there is little to no evidence of tangible results or progress reports on how these funds are utilised. This lack of transparency creates a disconnect between allocated resources and actual outcomes, leaving the public in the dark regarding the effectiveness of these programmes.
This culture of non-reporting and minimal accountability undermines public trust in the government’s capacity to address critical national issues. It also raises concerns about the alignment of budgetary priorities with national needs, especially in sectors like agriculture, where addressing food security and mitigating the impacts of climate change are paramount.
To address these challenges, there is an urgent need for the following actions:
Institutionalising Open Budget Processes: MDAs must adopt open budgeting practices that allow for public scrutiny and participation from planning to implementation stages.
Mandatory Project Reporting: Every ministry, department, and agency should provide detailed, periodic reports on programme activities, fund utilisation, and measurable outcomes.
Strengthening Oversight Bodies: The Budget and National Planning Ministry, the Accountant General, and the Auditor General must enforce compliance with projects, programme and financial transparency standards, ensuring that MDAs report their expenditures and projects openly and regularly.
Public Access to Financial Data: Citizens and civil society organisations should have access to financial records and reports to independently verify how public funds are spent.
Performance-Based Monitoring: Introduce mechanisms to tie funding to project performance, ensuring that allocated funds yield measurable results that align with stated objectives.
Clarity on Specialised Allocations: For critical sectors like agriculture, there must be clear communication of outputs for funds allocated to specialised programmes, such as pest control, with verifiable data on impact and progress.
These reforms are crucial not only to improve financial management and project implementation but also to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to address pressing national challenges effectively. Without accountability and transparency, the goals of achieving food security, tackling climate change, and promoting sustainable development will remain elusive.
Finally, state governments should complement federal allocations and improve their contributions to fund usage, ensuring a coordinated effort to boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, state governments and local communities should prioritise the establishment of robust security and vigilance services to combat and eliminate all insecurity threats and perpetrators. This collective effort is essential to reclaiming and safeguarding our homes and country, ensuring that farmers can operate safely and productively. By addressing these gaps, Nigeria’s agriculture sector can maximise the impact of its budget allocations, improve food security, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
As part of their 2024 reunion celebrations, the class of 1995 of Pope John Paul II Seminary, Okpoma, in Cross River State, donated some funds to the St. Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Handicapped, Obudu, to help the students realise their dreams.
At the 2024 Biennial Reunion of the Class of 95 Old Boys Alumni Association in Obudu, Cross River State
Additionally, the group also gave prizes to five individuals, including Rev. Fr. Dr. Josephat Ekor, the rector of the school, for their impact and discipline in shaping each of them into the individuals they are today.
When asked what motivated him to lead his team to the centre on Sunday, December 29, 2024, in Cross River State, Comrade Etalong Emmanuel Etalong, the class president, stated: “We thought it wise that, as a class, God has blessed us, and it is only normal to reach out to people around us.”
Using the Dead Sea as an example to buttress his statement, which only receives water from its main tributary, the Jordan River, and has no outlet, the leader revealed that the cash donation was only a token for the time being, and that if God blesses the class, “we hope to do even more, either collectively or as individuals, to support the centre.”
Receiving the group on behalf of the centre’s head, Reverend Sister Victoria Onoja expressed her admiration for the class members.
“If I were to say the truth,” the nun from the Congregation of the Poor Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (PHJC) added with a heartwarming smile, “I feel happy and jealous too.”
She went on to say that she was overjoyed by the group’s love and unity, but also envious since she wished her class could emulate this wonderful gesture and do something similar.
About the visually handicapped
According to Sister Victoria, the students dislike hearing the word “visually impaired” because they can read, play instruments, and do everything on their own without any assistance, often outperforming the sighted or the physically healthy.
“That is the miracle I saw when I came here; you can see the power of God even in disability,” she said.
The students, she continued, were making every effort to the best of her knowledge and could accomplish any life goal they set. This reality was confirmed by the recently concluded school exam, in which visually impaired pupils performed better than the sighted in all classes. The state’s third-best student in the most recent West African Examination Council (WAEC) is also physically challenged and is on a scholarship to study abroad.
“There is still hope for them to achieve whatever they want in life; they can,” she believed, urging the visitors to bring any handicapped person they come across in their various places to the centre for attention and care.
Award ceremony
One of the recipients, Rev. Fr. Dr. Josephat Ekor, rector of Pope John Paul II Seminary, described the gesture as a “positive surprise” because it was incredibly gracious and made him realise that “discipline and hard work pay.”
According to the Catholic priest, the discipline is precisely what has shaped each of the class associates into the people they are now, adding that he is always very happy whenever he sees his former students of John Paul II seminary come together, especially the class of 95, which has actually made an impression on him.
“I want to say this here not because you are gathering for your biennial reunion, but I am saying it because it is true.
“Since I came into John Paul as a rector, after I left as a dean, the class that has actually made an impression, not just because of the pledge of N500,000 you made in 2021, but it is the level of your connectedness. You have made a massive impression on me, and I will never forget it,” Fr. Ekor stated.
The rector praised the class for their togetherness, which he said was producing many fruits, emphasising that if the school can have two or three additional classes organise themselves in the same way as the class of 95 is doing, the school alumni association will be very strong.
“You may not know it yourself, but you need an external body from your group to tell you how productive this class has always been and will continue to be,” he asserts.
As a result, the impressed clergy exhorted the group not to give up, to keep the team spirit alive, and to make the class as unique as ever, because it takes a lot of sacrifices to ensure that this works.
“Our people say, when spiders connect, they can tie up a lion. This unity is quite impressive, and I will call on other classes to emulate your level of unity,” he concluded.
The class president, Comrade Etalong Emmanuel Etalong; the treasurer, Uchenna Francis; Emmanuel Uzowuru; and Julius Agada, a former economics and commerce instructor, were the other beneficiaries of prizes. The class also had the chance to play a football game, have church Thanksgiving, receive a lecture on leadership, and have her Annual General Meeting (AGM) during this noble event.
Conclusion
In response to his feeling over the entire programme, Rev. Fr. Humphrey Uche Udechukwu, the chairman of the 2024 reunion planning committee and parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Odudu, said he is satisfied that everyone is happy.
Man, in his humble view, is only a custodian of earthly wealth, which God has bestowed upon the class as an opportunity to reach out.
“When people are happy because of you, you will count yourself blessed. So, I am happy that all of us are happy,” he told the interviewer in front of his guests, who were extremely proud of his conduct as a Catholic priest.
