The Director-General of a key agency under Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture has told lawmakers that staff of the organisation have not received salaries since 2024, raising concerns about the impact on agricultural support services nationwide.
The disclosure was made on February 11 during a budget defence session in Abuja before a National Assembly committee. According to the agency head, the institution has also received no operational or overhead funding during the period under review.
The Director-General informed committee members that the funding shortfall has effectively grounded critical programmes, including the training of agricultural extension workers and farmers. Extension services are widely regarded as essential to improving productivity and supporting rural communities, particularly as Nigeria grapples with food security challenges.
Beyond institutional setbacks, the official noted that the prolonged non-payment of salaries has created severe personal hardships for employees, affecting family stability and morale within the agency.
Committee members reportedly expressed shock at the revelation, questioning how an agency central to national food production could operate without financial releases. In response, the Director-General stated that the agency could not account for funds it had not received, emphasising that no budgetary allocations had been disbursed for salaries, operations, or overhead expenses since 2024.
The development comes amid broader concerns about delays in budget implementation and fund releases across several government institutions, despite reported increases in federal revenues.
Lawmakers are expected to further review the matter as part of ongoing budget deliberations, with calls mounting for urgent intervention to prevent further disruption to agricultural programmes and rural development initiatives.
