A review of the recently approved 2025 national budget revealed that the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) plans to allocate N2billion for land and bush clearing activities across various states in the country.
Checks by SaharaReporters confirmed that the expenditure is detailed under the budget code “ERGP1224383.”
The budget breakdown indicates that significant portions of the N2billion will go towards clearing land for NALDA farms in different regions.
Specifically, land clearing for NALDA cluster farms in Osun State is projected to cost N500 million. Additionally, land clearing and development for NALDA’s horticulture clusters in selected states is earmarked for N300 million.
Another key project in the budget includes the clearing of 120 hectares of agricultural land at Ado/Akinwunmi village, as well as the installation of a solar-powered borehole at Ado Village, which is expected to cost N200 million.
However, the review also highlights potential concerns regarding the inclusion of projects outside the agency’s direct mandate.
For example, the construction of an access road in Akpa/Agudu federal constituency has been budgeted at N400 million. Other non-agricultural projects in the budget include the provision of motorcycles for the Isa Sabo Birni federal constituency in Sokoto State, costing N40 million, and the supply of school furniture across the Jigawa South senatorial district in Jigawa State, with an estimated cost of N100 million.
In addition, the budget includes plans for the construction of solar street lights in select communities in Kogi State, which is expected to require N250 million.
The construction and furnishing of primary healthcare centers in the Mallam Inna and Gabukka areas of the Gombe State senatorial district are also featured in the budget, with each project allocated N250 million.
The items raise questions about whether such projects fall within NALDA’s scope, suggesting that the authority may be venturing beyond its core responsibilities of agricultural land development.