The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating agricultural subsidies, intervention funds, aids, and grants has summoned the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Agriculture to appear before it on February 3, 2026.
The summons was issued after lawmakers described the documentation and accountability records presented at a recent hearing as unsatisfactory and incomplete.Committee Chairman Hon. Jamo Aminu expressed strong displeasure over the Office of the Auditor-General’s failure to provide audit reports for several agricultural subsidy and intervention programmes spanning 2015 to 2025.
He stressed that the probe is part of the House’s ongoing scrutiny of public spending in agriculture, driven by rising food prices, worsening food insecurity, and doubts about the effectiveness of past interventions.“We cannot effectively carry out this investigation without proper audit records.
These funds span a decade and involve critical national programmes,” Aminu said, reiterating that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable.
A deputy director from the Auditor-General’s office, Mohammed Adamu, explained that delays in producing the audit reports stem from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s failure to provide key documents despite multiple requests.
Adamu pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture is the primary source of records on subsidies, grants, aids, and intervention programmes, and without their cooperation, finalising the audits has been challenging.
He urged the committee to include the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance in the summons, given their central roles in fund release, management, and oversight.
The committee subsequently directed the Auditor-General, along with the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance (or their representatives), to appear on the specified date with the required records and explanations.
It warned that failure to honour the summons would result in legislative sanctions in line with the National Assembly’s constitutional powers.
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