Federal Government Proposes N180bn for Agricultural Universities and Research Institutes in 2025 Budget
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has proposed a N180 billion allocation for Federal Universities of Agriculture and research institutes in the 2025 budget.
Of this amount, N54.38 billion is specifically allocated to the universities, which is part of the ministry’s total budget of N636 billion. The allocation was outlined in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which was presented by President Bola Tinubu on December 17, 2024. The proposed budget, titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” includes a focus on improving agricultural research and education, with universities and research institutes receiving significant funding.
The N54.38 billion allocation to the universities is a step forward, representing 8.4 percent of the ministry’s overall budget. This amount is distributed across several Federal Universities of Agriculture, with notable allocations such as N13.77 billion for the University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, N14.17 billion for the Makurdi campus, and N3.98 billion for the Zuru campus.
In addition, N126.03 billion has been set aside for over 40 research institutes across Nigeria, with specific amounts earmarked for institutions like the National Root Crops Research Institute and the National Veterinary Research Institute, among others. This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to addressing food security challenges and supporting agricultural development through research and innovation.
Experts in the agricultural sector have responded positively to the proposed allocations. Dr. Moses Ogah, a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, acknowledged that while the funds are a step in the right direction, strategic implementation is crucial. He emphasized the role these universities can play in tackling food security challenges and reducing food costs but stressed the need for better infrastructure, such as hatcheries, processing plants, and livestock facilities. Similarly, Tobi Awolope, an agricultural economist at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, highlighted the importance of using the funds for modernizing infrastructure, including research farms and laboratories, to better align with global agricultural standards.
The proposed budget also reflects the administration’s focus on national development through education and infrastructure. President Tinubu’s budget speech stressed the importance of securing peace and rebuilding prosperity, with economic assumptions including a decline in inflation and an adjustment in exchange rates. Experts believe that strategic investments in agricultural universities and research institutes will play a critical role in enhancing food security, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable economic growth in Nigeria, particularly as the agricultural sector continues to grow in importance for national development.
