The Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has enlisted the support of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and national police to recover loans disbursed under the government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). National President Bello Abubakar announced the collaboration during a press briefing in Abuja, following a three-day meeting of MAAN’s leadership. The loans, intended to boost maize production between 2018 and 2021, have seen widespread defaults, prompting legal action and appeals for federal intervention.
Abubakar described the ABP—a revolving loan initiative backed by Nigeria’s Central Bank to strengthen agriculture—as a “monumental disappointment” due to low repayment rates. Many farmers reportedly viewed the funds as non-repayable grants, often referred to locally as “national cake.” MAAN issued repeated warnings and demand letters to defaulters before escalating the matter to law enforcement. Some farmers, however, have challenged recovery efforts in court, alleging violations of their rights.
The association also highlighted systemic challenges complicating loan repayment, including escalating insecurity and climate disasters. Bandit attacks in states such as Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto have led to farm destruction, kidnappings, and fatalities. Meanwhile, floods in Kogi, Benue, and Jigawa, alongside droughts in Oyo, Kwara, and Ekiti, have devastated crops. Combined, these factors have strained farmers’ ability to meet financial obligations.
MAAN called on the federal government to ease repayment terms for smallholder farmers, urging loan waivers or restructuring under the ABP framework. The group emphasized the need for policies that integrate commodity associations into agricultural decision-making and address risks like insecurity and climate volatility. Despite setbacks, Abubakar praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing food security, including recent measures to stabilize fertilizer supplies and curb smuggling.
The unfolding recovery efforts underscore broader tensions in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, where well-intentioned credit programs often clash with systemic vulnerabilities. With cases still pending in courts and farmers grappling with external pressures, MAAN’s strategy reflects a push to balance accountability with realism in achieving long-term food sustainability.
