Gov Alia Vows to End Corruption in Benue’s Farm Subsidies

In a significant move aimed at restoring Benue’s legacy as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has formally launched the 2025 fertiliser distribution program. The governor’s action is not merely a ceremonial flag-off but a bold promise of comprehensive reforms designed to restore integrity and transparency to the state’s agricultural input supply chain. The initiative, while late, is a direct result of an extensive investigation into fraudulent practices that marred the 2024 season, including the delivery of substandard products and the illegal diversion of subsidized goods. With a new calendar, a cashless payment system, and a firm commitment to settling outstanding debts, Governor Alia’s administration is demonstrating its resolve to make agriculture the true bedrock of wealth creation in Benue and to ensure that farmers, not corrupt middlemen, are the primary beneficiaries of government intervention.

Benue has long been celebrated as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” a title earned from its immense agricultural potential and its status as a leading producer of yams, cassava, soybeans, and rice. However, in recent years, this reputation has been severely tested by a combination of factors, including persistent insecurity from farmer-herder conflicts and a long history of mismanagement and corruption within government agricultural schemes. Governor Alia’s administration has taken a firm stand against this history of fraud. The governor explained that the late flag-off was due to a necessary investigation into past fraudulent practices. One of the most pervasive of these practices has been “round-tripping,” where unscrupulous suppliers divert subsidized fertilizers meant for farmers and sell them on the black market at exorbitant prices, a practice that has consistently undermined food security and impoverished genuine farmers across the country. The governor’s pledge to fully settle over N5 billion owed to genuine contractors by the end of October is a strategic move to clean up the system and earn the trust of stakeholders.

For the 2025 intervention, the government has procured a substantial volume of agricultural inputs, including 9,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers, a total of 600 truckloads. These include a mix of NPK, Urea, and SSP, valued at a total of N16.8 billion. In a significant move to support smallholder farmers, the state is providing a massive N8.1 billion subsidy, which makes the fertilizers available at the highly reduced price of N22,500 per bag. This is a crucial step towards ensuring that the inputs are accessible and affordable, thereby boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. In a further move to combat corruption, the governor announced a cashless payment system, with all transactions to be carried out through POS terminals at designated and accredited centers. This measure, which has been widely adopted in other sectors to improve transparency, will create a clear digital trail, making it difficult for middlemen to manipulate the supply chain and ensuring that funds are accurately accounted for. This is a core part of Governor Alia’s “restoration agenda,” which he campaigned on as a Catholic priest turned politician, promising to rid the state of corruption and mismanagement.

Beyond fiscal reform, the administration is also introducing a new agricultural calendar to guarantee year-round farming. Governor Alia emphasized that wet season supplies will henceforth be released between April and June, while dry season distributions will take place between November and January. This strategic shift is vital, as the late supply of fertilizers has historically been a major challenge for Benue farmers, often leading to reduced crop yields and substantial financial losses. By ensuring that inputs are available at the optimal time for planting, the government is not only maximising the potential for a bumper harvest but also empowering farmers to plan their agricultural activities with confidence and precision. This comprehensive approach, which combines anti-corruption measures, a clear financial commitment, and a logical agricultural calendar, is a clear signal that the Governor’s administration is determined to reclaim Benue’s title as the “Food Basket of the Nation” and to ensure that the state’s immense agricultural wealth benefits its hardworking citizens.