Senator Saliu Mustapha of Kwara Central has raised concerns over the 2025 national budget’s disproportionate allocation to defence, stressing the need for agriculture to take a more central role in the country’s financial priorities. Speaking during a heated Senate debate on Thursday, Mustapha pointed out that while defence received a staggering ₦4.9 trillion, agriculture, a sector vital for national stability and food security, was not given the attention it deserves.
Mustapha expressed alarm that the budget was heavily weighted towards security, with significant funds allocated to defence, while other critical sectors like agriculture, which directly impacts food production and economic sustainability, were overlooked. He cautioned that ignoring the agricultural sector could have dire consequences, especially in the face of rising food insecurity, which poses just as much a threat to the nation’s well-being as other security issues.
In his remarks, Mustapha emphasized the essential role that agriculture plays in securing the nation’s future. “Lack of security has brought us to this level,” he said, calling on his colleagues in the Senate to focus not only on health and education but also on improving agricultural support to boost food production. He noted that without adequate support for farmers, the country would continue to face food insecurity, undermining efforts to maintain security in the long term.
Mustapha’s call for greater investment in agriculture comes at a time when the country grapples with rising food prices and the challenges of meeting the nutritional needs of its growing population. By highlighting the importance of domestic production, he urged the government to “jack up our production,” stressing that food security should be a cornerstone of any national security strategy. As the budget moves forward, it remains to be seen whether his plea for a balanced allocation will resonate with his fellow lawmakers, and whether agriculture will receive the funding it needs to sustain the nation.
