Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, has raised concerns about the 2025 budget’s disproportionate focus on defence at the expense of agriculture. During a Senate debate on Thursday, Senator Mustapha pointed out the imbalance, emphasizing that while the budget allocated a substantial ₦4.9 trillion to defence—making it the highest among all sectors—the funding for agriculture remained relatively limited compared to other key areas like infrastructure, education, and health.
Senator Saliu Mustapha cautioned that neglecting the agricultural sector could lead to severe consequences, stressing that food security is just as vital as other aspects of national security. He noted that the lack of security has contributed to the country’s current challenges and emphasized that there are three key areas where the government must always intervene: health, education, and agriculture.
Senator Saliu Mustapha expressed hope that the 2025 budget would not only prioritize health and education but also give significant attention to agriculture. He pointed out that securing the environment is futile without adequate investment in agriculture, which is essential for empowering farmers and ensuring food security.
“I hope that after addressing health and education, we will turn our focus inward and find ways to better support agriculture,” he said. “With stronger support for the sector, we can produce what we eat and eat what we produce.”
He emphasized the need to boost agricultural production, stating, “All we need is to increase our production. If we don’t, whatever we are securing is essentially for a vacuum.”
Senator Mustapha concluded by urging his colleagues to prioritize agriculture when reviewing the details of the budget, hoping for more substantial support for the sector.
