Agric Ministers parry response to unpaid salaries at Soil Institute

 

The two ministers, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) have tactically dodged answers to non payment of workers' salaries at the Institute of Soil Science of Nigeria just as no response was given to over 90% of the 2026 ministry's budget being given to National Agricultural Fund (NAFUND) alone.

Food Farm News during the questions and answers session at the recently organized quarterly stakeholders meeting has asked the ministers why the Institute of Soil Science of Nigeria had not been paid salaries in the last two years as recently revealed during the 2026 budget defense at the National Assembly.

The question further probed on why 90% of the total ministry's budget for 2026 was given to NAFUND with higher allocation of N89b out of N94.14b being given to procure fertilizers under the Renewed Hope Fertilizer Support Program.

Both the two Senators turned Ministers, Abubakar Kyari and Abudulahi Sabi were surprised at the questions even as their quick consultation with the ministry's permanent secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi could not also give a rescue answer.

The Minister of state, Sen. Abudulahi Sabi however tactically avoided the response to NISS's salaries, and also claimed not to be aware of the contents of the 2026 budget allocation for NAFUND saying " Which budget are you talking about? Where did you see the budget"

Stakeholders at the event expressed their empathy for the NISS workers in view of non payment of salaries despite their strategic position in the soil management and fertilizer applications in the country towards friendly ecological farming.

Sabi  also acknowledged the importance of soil management to Nigeria’s agricultural development as he reiterated that the ministry is prioritizing initiatives aimed at improving soil quality across the country.

He said the ministry recently introduced the farmers' soil health scheme, a program designed to help adopt better soil management practices and improve crop productivity.

The state minister noted that Nigeria is currently playing a leading role in soil health programs within the region, particularly through partnerships with research institutions and agricultural stakeholders.

Analysts at the event also posited that timely support for research institutions such as the Institute of Soil Science is essential to achieving Nigeria’s food security and improving agricultural productivity nationwide.