Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) Refutes Factsheet’s Online Publication Titled: “Fraud Rocks AFDB Funded $134 Million Agric Programme, NAGS-AP”<\/p>\n
The Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) has refuted a recent article by Factsheet.ng dated September 15, 2025, alleging \u201cfraud\u201d, fund diversion, and non-payment to agro-input suppliers.<\/p>\n
In a statement signed by Kabiru Umar Fara, President of NAIDA, the Association disclosed that “We reject these allegations in the strongest terms” and explained its response to set the record straight.<\/p>\n
Denial of Fraudulent Conduct\/Misuse of Funds<\/p>\n
The statement categorically denied the article’s key claim alleging that senior government officials \u201cdiverted\u201d funds allocated for payment to agro-input suppliers. It highlighted that “No credible evidence has been presented that any official has personally benefited from funds earmarked for suppliers and Agro Dealers. The article\u2019s assertion that funds were used for other items \u2018not captured in the programme\u2019 remains unsubstantiated, and the suggestion of bad faith or deliberate action is false.”<\/p>\n
Status of Payments, Delays, and Context<\/p>\n
The statement explained that while there have been delays in payments to some suppliers and Agro Dealers, these delays do not equate to fraud or misuse. The causes of delays are complex and include bureaucratic verification processes, reconciliation of delivery reports, quality checks, and ensuring compliance with AfDB and federal regulations. It noted that some payments have been processed, while others are in the final stages of documentation and reconciliation, with delays due to issues beyond the agency\u2019s direct control, such as late submission of required documentation or banking\/auditing delays.<\/p>\n
Oversight, Accountability, and Donor Relations<\/p>\n
As a programme funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), NAGS-AP is subject to stringent audit, monitoring, and financial oversight. All financial disbursements, procurement, and payments are recorded, available for audit, and reported to AfDB. Any allegations of misappropriation or forgery will be taken seriously, and if credible evidence is presented, NAGS-AP and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security are ready to cooperate with any investigation.<\/p>\n
Claims of Supplier Hardship<\/p>\n
NAIDA regrets any hardship experienced by members and is aware that NAGS-AP is working to expedite delayed payments and address bottlenecks. The programme has informed NAIDA about its internal reconciliation and transparency efforts to ensure timely payments.<\/p>\n
Correction of Misleading or False Statements<\/p>\n
The statement emphasized that Factsheet.ng’s report claiming no payments have been made is factually inaccurate. Some payments have been made, while others are being processed. The suggestion that senior officials have acted in bad faith or diverted funds without evidence is defamatory and misleading. Assertions about jeopardizing the state of emergency in the agric sector or spiraling food prices are speculative and alarmist.<\/p>\n
Commitment to Transparency and Way Forward<\/p>\n
To ensure transparency, NAIDA welcomes NAGS-AP’s readiness to publish a schedule of payments, names of suppliers paid, and those pending, along with reasons for delays. NAIDA invites Factsheet.ng and other media houses to engage directly, present evidence, and verify facts before making public allegations that damage reputations and sow distrust.<\/p>\n
While describing the claims in the aforementioned article as “exaggerated, factually incomplete and misleading, the statement urged the public and media to await verified facts, official reports, and audit findings rather than relying on uncorroborated claims,” concluding that, “NAIDA remains committed to fulfilling its mandate, supporting smallholder farmers, ensuring timely delivery of inputs, remunerating suppliers, and operating within the rules of accountability and transparency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) Refutes Factsheet’s Online Publication Titled: “Fraud Rocks AFDB Funded $134 Million Agric Programme, NAGS-AP” The Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) has refuted a recent article by Factsheet.ng dated September 15, 2025, alleging \u201cfraud\u201d, fund diversion, and non-payment to agro-input suppliers. In a statement signed by Kabiru Umar Fara, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2293,2292,2294],"class_list":{"0":"post-148579","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-others","7":"tag-factsheet-ng","8":"tag-nigeria-agro-input-dealers-association","9":"tag-rejoinder"},"yoast_head":"\n