Coalition of Non-Governmental Agricultural Associations asks for 10% budget implementation

 

 The Community of Agrifood Systems Non-State Actors (COANSA) has called on all organs of Government to ensure 10% funding towards enhancing agrifood systems to achieve food security in Nigeria. 

This demand was made in a press statement issued to mark the World Food Day for 2026, as endorsed by 56 agricultural organization members. 

The advocacy groups in the statement urged all tiers of government to maintain a well-disciplined budget for agricultural and food-related matters with prompt release of 10% budgetary allocations as stipulated by African Head of States in Kampala. 

COANSA emphasized in the statement that achieving the 10 per cent allocation must be measured by the actual funds released into the sector, adding that not the statutory figures on paper without being released. 

Dr. Nkiruka Okonkwo, the co-founder and financial director of COANSA in the press release stated there was huge disconnect between rising agricultural allocations and actual execution, saying that despite the increase in overall capital allocations, budget implementation across most states and the Federal Capital Territory remained critically low between 2023 and 2025: "2023: 22 states spent less than 50 per cent of their allocated agricultural capital budgets. 

The statement stated further that "2024: 18 states failed to cross the 50 per cent capital expenditure benchmark. 2025: 15 states continued to underspend their approved agricultural allocations."

 The press release added that " Full capital budget execution could boost internally generated revenue (IGR) for states and federal governments by between 6.22 per cent and 6.18 per cent, while creating more than 3.5 million direct jobs." 

The organizations' coalition also warned in the press release that continued underspending into the sector would negate many benefits the sector is poised to deliver in 2026. " Fulfill the 10% spending commitment. Allocate at least 10 per cent of public expenditure to agrifood systems, evaluating compliance strictly on released and performance-tested funds" 

"Publish annual tracking reports. Issue annual public disclosures covering agricultural budget allocations, real disbursements, outputs, and direct community outcomes to ensure transparency. Domesticate CAADP targets. Fast-track the implementation of Nigeria’s Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan in line with the Kampala Declaration targets.

 The coalition called for targeted funding aimed at smallholder farmers, women, youth, and persons with disabilities to enhance their access to capital, land, and market channels. 

Additionally, COANSA urged the integration of Nigeria’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) climate targets and the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative into national agricultural frameworks. All stated in the release.