Nigeria’s 2026 budget has reignited debate over public spending after several agricultural and livestock-related institutions were linked to budgetary allocations for the construction and renovation of religious and traditional institutions, raising concerns about the alignment of public expenditure with their statutory mandates.
A review of the budget shows that agencies established to promote agricultural research, livestock development, irrigation and rural productivity have been assigned projects ranging from the construction of mosques and churches to the renovation of emir palaces and other community facilities.
Among the institutions cited are the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, the Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna and the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River.
According to the budget, NALDA received an allocation of ₦850 million for the construction of churches and mosques, as well as financial support for religious leaders in Gombe State. The Institute of Agricultural Research, Zaria, was allocated ₦210 million for the construction of a mosque, an Islamiyya school, an administrative block, a perimeter fence and an Imam’s residence in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
Similarly, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) was assigned ₦280 million for the construction of a mosque and the renovation of a palace in Oyo State, while the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, was linked to projects involving the rehabilitation of an emir’s palace and a mosque in Kaduna State.
The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority and the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority were also listed with allocations for mosque-related projects, including mosque furnishing, solar-powered boreholes around mosques and other community facilities.
The Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna, and the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, were equally assigned mosque renovation projects in Zamfara, Sokoto and Enugu States.
Critics argue that such allocations divert scarce public resources away from the core responsibilities of these institutions at a time when Nigeria is battling food insecurity, rising food prices, climate-related production challenges and declining agricultural productivity.
They maintain that agencies responsible for agricultural research, irrigation, livestock health and rural development should prioritise investments in improved seed development, disease surveillance, mechanisation, irrigation infrastructure, extension services and other interventions that directly improve food production.
Analysts have also questioned the use of sector-specific agencies to execute projects outside their technical mandates, warning that the practice could weaken institutional effectiveness and reduce public confidence in government budgeting.
They further argue that, with Nigeria operating a ₦31.45 trillion budget deficit financed largely through borrowing, public expenditure should be directed toward programmes that deliver measurable economic and developmental benefits.
Stakeholders have therefore called on the National Assembly, relevant oversight institutions and anti-corruption agencies to strengthen scrutiny of budget proposals and ensure that future appropriations are consistent with the statutory mandates of government agencies.
They insist that restoring confidence in public finance will require greater transparency, stronger accountability and increased investment in programmes that directly support agricultural productivity, food security and rural economic development.
