Maputo Declaration could attract Northern voters

Revisiting the Maputo Declaration could improve food security and unite northern voters. This Declaration is a development policy adopted by African countries to help Africa catch up with the rest of the world. It was agreed in 2002 during the Obasanjo and Atiku administration, as part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The goal was to achieve at least six percent growth in agricultural productivity each year and to invest at least 10 percent of national budgets in agriculture.

The 10 percent investment is ambitious, and Nigeria never reached it even during the Obasanjo and Atiku years. The average budget for the Ministry of Agriculture was four percent, peaking at 6.4 percent. Since then, there have been significant efforts under Yar’adua and Jonathan, showing some growth in the sector. But since 2015, investment has dropped. From 2015 to 2023, the agricultural sector's budget share averaged just 1.45 percent.

From 2023 to 2026, the federal budget for the Ministry of Agriculture stayed low, even as food security and agricultural productivity became pressing issues. In 2023, the ministry got about 1.1 percent of the total federal budget. This rose slightly to 1.3 percent in 2024. In 2025, agriculture's share did increase to about four percent of total spending, mainly due to many constituency and capital projects included in the budget. But the proposed allocation for 2026 cut it back to about 2.5 percent. This shows inconsistency and a lack of long-term planning. The sector still does not get enough attention compared to its role in creating jobs, ensuring food security, and supporting economic growth.

Nobody can deny that Nigeria is facing food insecurity. There are many reasons for this, but if investments had been made as promised in the Declaration, things would not be this bad. International firms like PwC are calling for the government to take action by adopting the Maputo Declaration.

We are in an election season, and important decisions need to be made.

Tinubu seems focused on appealing to voters without addressing the pressing food security issues. It is becoming clear that northern voters are not part of his election strategy. Obi's earlier proposals need to be updated with better research.

Right now, it seems only Atiku is willing to bring back the Declaration, and northern voters would likely respond positively to such a plan. But that is just a guess.