Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, vital for job creation, poverty alleviation, and ensuring food supply for its growing population. However, a fresh review of 2025 agriculture budgets across the country’s 36 states reveals stark differences in funding priorities, signaling uneven commitment to the sector. While a few states have allocated record sums to boost food production and agro-industrialization, others have committed alarmingly low amounts, raising questions about their strategic focus.

Niger State leads the charge with a staggering ₦460.11 billion dedicated to agriculture in 2025—more than quadrupling the budget of the next-highest state, Kebbi, which allocated ₦103.07 billion. On the opposite end, states like Anambra (₦3.58 billion) and Kwara (₦5.65 billion) are allocating amounts so small they barely register on a national scale.

This restructured analysis explores budget trends across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, drawing insights into economic priorities, possible project drivers, and the implications for food security and rural prosperity.

North-Central: Niger’s Budget Overshadows Regional Commitments

The North-Central region features the most notable budget outlier in the entire country—Niger State’s ₦460.11 billion allocation. This colossal budget may be aimed at implementing wide-scale irrigation, mechanized farming, or agro-processing ventures, possibly with federal or international funding support.

However, other states in the region lag considerably behind:

• Benue – ₦33.8 billion, despite its identity as Nigeria’s “Food Basket.”

• Nasarawa – ₦24.54 billion, moderate but insufficient.

• Plateau – ₦20.82 billion, showing some intent but limited in scope.

• Kogi – ₦15.24 billion, lower than expected for its fertile land.

• Kwara – ₦5.65 billion, among the lowest nationally.

Takeaway: While Niger is positioning itself for major agri-transformation, underinvestment by its neighbors could leave regional supply chains fragmented.

North-West: Significant Spending Amid Security Challenges

Known as Nigeria’s grain belt, the North-West has a number of states making commendable agricultural investments:

• Kebbi – ₦103.07 billion, affirming its position as a major rice hub.

• Katsina – ₦81.64 billion, likely focused on food staples and irrigation.

• Kaduna – ₦74.02 billion, supporting its agro-industrial base.

• Jigawa – ₦69.45 billion, pushing to expand productivity.

Others show more modest spending:

• Zamfara – ₦34.72 billion, below expectations given its vast land.

• Sokoto – ₦26.99 billion, average for the region.

• Kano – ₦22.95 billion, surprisingly low for a commercial agri hub.

Takeaway: Security concerns likely influence the larger budgets, as funds may be used to stabilize food systems. However, Kano’s low allocation is puzzling given its size and agribusiness capacity.

North-East: Minimal Investment in a Region Still Recovering

The North-East, burdened by years of insurgency, continues to struggle with underinvestment in food production:

• Borno – ₦28.43 billion, leading in the region but modest.

• Taraba – ₦24.17 billion, trying to leverage its vast agro-potential.

• Yobe – ₦17.3 billion

• Adamawa – ₦15.57 billion

• Gombe – ₦12.79 billion

• Bauchi – ₦11.29 billion

Takeaway: For a region prone to food shortages, these budgets are insufficient. Rebuilding the food system requires resilient infrastructure, drought-tolerant crops, and livestock programs.

South-East: Sharp Contrast Between States

The South-East region exhibits deep disparities in agricultural investment:

• Enugu – ₦82.34 billion, standing out as the third-highest agriculture budget nationwide, likely focused on agro-export and processing zones.

• Imo – ₦50.44 billion, showing moderate commitment.

• Abia – ₦34.19 billion, maintaining a decent level of investment.

Conversely:

• Ebonyi – ₦6.57 billion, disappointing for a rice-producing state.

• Anambra – ₦3.58 billion, among the lowest in the country.

Takeaway: Enugu’s significant allocation reflects a push for agribusiness development, while Anambra and Ebonyi risk over-relying on trade and imports at the expense of self-reliance.

South-West: Lagos Surprises with Urban-Focused Agriculture Push

Although heavily urbanized, the South-West is seeing some states ramp up agricultural budgets:

• Lagos – ₦79.67 billion, aiming to build food systems in urban settings via aquaculture and logistics hubs.

• Ogun – ₦54.48 billion, possibly boosting agro-processing and cocoa.

• Ondo – ₦26.27 billion, leveraging oil palm and other cash crops.

Lower allocations from:

• Ekiti – ₦23.78 billion

• Oyo – ₦14.56 billion, surprisingly low for a state with large fertile land.

• Osun – ₦7.16 billion, underwhelming commitment.

Takeaway: Lagos is likely positioning itself as a model for urban-agriculture integration, but neighboring states need to do more to harness their agricultural potential.

South-South: Oil-Rich States Falling Behind

The South-South region reflects inconsistent attention to farming, despite vast arable land:

• Edo – ₦56.93 billion, leading with a focus on oil palm and cassava value chains.

• Akwa Ibom – ₦41.1 billion and Rivers – ₦31.81 billion show average interest.

But others fall short:

• Bayelsa – ₦17.25 billion

• Cross River – ₦12.98 billion

• Delta – ₦9.43 billion

Takeaway: Heavy reliance on oil revenue may be reducing these states’ urgency to diversify through agriculture, a missed opportunity for food sovereignty and employment.

Key Observations and Economic Ramifications

1. Niger’s record-breaking budget could either signal a bold agricultural revolution or call for audit scrutiny.

2. North-West investments, though strong, may be vulnerable to conflict disruptions.

3. South-East’s disparity may exacerbate food import reliance if low-budget states don’t pivot.

4. Lagos’s unexpected rise in agriculture spending suggests a strategic move toward technology-driven, urban-based food systems.

5. Underfunding in states like Anambra, Kwara, Kano, and Delta could lead to long-term productivity declines and rural economic stagnation.

Final Thoughts

Nigeria’s 2025 agriculture budgets paint a picture of both ambition and neglect. While some states are making historic moves to revolutionize food production, others continue to deprioritize the sector. If the country is to truly achieve food self-sufficiency, reduce its import bill, and become a competitive agro-exporter, budgetary investments must align with strategic national goals. These disparities not only impact state-level outcomes but threaten the stability of the national food system as a whole. The coming months and years will reveal whether these budgets yield real progress—or merely remain numbers on paper.