Senator Mustapha advocates prioritizing agriculture over defense in the 2025 budget
Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, has raised concerns about the 2025 budget, criticizing its heavy focus on security while giving less attention to agriculture.
Speaking during a Senate debate on Thursday, Senator Mustapha pointed out that ₦4.9 trillion was allocated to defense—the highest of all sectors—followed by infrastructure, education, and health.
He warned that neglecting agriculture could have serious consequences, stressing that food security is just as important as national security.
“Security issues have brought us to this point, but there are three key areas where the government must always step in: health, education, and agriculture,” he said. He explained that without adequate investment in agriculture, farmers won’t have the resources they need to produce food, which in turn affects national stability.
Senator Mustapha urged his colleagues to reconsider the budget and prioritize agriculture, emphasizing the need to boost food production. “If we don’t increase our agricultural output, whatever we secure will be meaningless because we’ll lack the essentials,” he added.
