House Of Reps Summons Auditor-General, Finance, Agriculture Ministers Over Missing Records On Farm Subsidies

The summons followed what the committee said were unsatisfactory documents and missing audit records presented during a resumed hearing at the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing agricultural subsidies, intervention funds, aids and grants has summoned the Auditor-General of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture over what lawmakers described as glaring gaps in accountability for funds released to the sector between 2015 and 2025.

The summons followed what the committee said were unsatisfactory documents and missing audit records presented during a resumed hearing at the National Assembly.

The Chairman of the committee, Jamo Aminu, expressed frustration at the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation for failing to produce audit reports covering several agricultural subsidy and intervention programmes over the 10-year period.

Aminu said the probe was part of the House’s effort to scrutinise public spending in the agricultural sector amid rising food prices, worsening food insecurity and growing concerns over the impact of repeated government intervention schemes.

According to him, the committee expected detailed audit reports that would allow lawmakers to track how funds were disbursed, utilised and what outcomes were achieved by programmes designed to boost food production, support farmers and improve national food security.

“We cannot effectively carry out this investigation without proper audit records. These funds span a decade and involve critical national programmes,” Aminu said, stressing that transparency and accountability were non-negotiable.

However, a Deputy Director at the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adamu, told the committee that delays in completing the audit were caused by the failure of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to provide key documents.

Adamu said the Auditor-General’s office had repeatedly requested records on agricultural subsidies, grants, aids and intervention programmes but had not received the necessary cooperation.

“The primary source of these documents is the Ministry of Agriculture. Without them, concluding the audit process has been difficult,” he said.

He urged the committee to widen the scope of the probe to include both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance, noting that the two ministries were central to the release, management and oversight of the funds.

Following the exchange, the committee directed the Auditor-General of the Federation, alongside the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance — or their representatives — to appear before it on February 3.

Lawmakers warned that failure to honour the summons would attract legislative sanctions in line with the powers of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, as the House resumed plenary after the Christmas and New Year recess, lawmakers pledged to fine-tune the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, review key constitutional provisions and subject the 2026 budget to rigorous scrutiny.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu stated this during Tuesday’s plenary session, which opened with a valedictory sitting in honour of three deceased lawmakers—Godiya Akwashiki, Okechukwu Ezea and John Kojo-Brambaifa.

Kalu said amending the Electoral Act would be a major legislative priority in 2026, assuring that outstanding issues in the bill would be addressed to ensure a seamless process.

He added that the House would also focus on reviewing specific constitutional amendments and remain committed to translating the Nigerian government’s Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible outcomes, while promising robust oversight of the 2026 budget to ensure it delivers effective governance and national development.