In an unusual single-day spending spree, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), an agricultural body located in Ilorin, Kwara State, distributed at least N683.8 million to several contractors for initiatives entirely disconnected from its institutional mission.
Records reveal that on May 10, the agency executed 14 distinct transactions directed at 14 separate vendors. Rather than dedicating these resources to agricultural preservation, the funds were channeled into questionable activities including public health facility overhauls, polytechnic workshop facilities, street lighting installations, water boreholes, auto-rickshaws, generic empowerment schemes, and solar-powered microgrids.
Securing the largest contract of the day, Shamal Construction Limited walked away with N104.5 million to deploy solar mini-grids across Borno State’s Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency. Within the same constituency, Tripplehech Resources Limited was granted N99.1 million to host an agricultural training program, while Scelta Construction Limited picked up N78.2 million for additional solar mini-grid infrastructure.
Other massive outlays included a N53.8 million initial 30 percent mobilization deposit transferred to Shafana Enterprises for the development of a regional farmers’ marketplace across Benue State’s Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
Solar initiatives continued to dominate the disbursements. Ajagba Nigeria Limited was allocated N52.2 million to build a solar power mini-grid in the Bursari/Geidam/Yunusari district of Yobe State. Meanwhile, Daisygo Concepts Limited received an upfront payment of N52 million to drill solar-driven boreholes in designated areas of Kwara State’s Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency. Similarly, Giapea Service Limited took in N51.8 million as a 30 percent commitment deposit to erect solar streetlamps across the Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Mashegu Federal Constituency in Niger State.
By law, NSPRI was established primarily to investigate post-harvest losses, devise engineering solutions for crop preservation, and train agricultural stakeholders on safeguarding harvested commodities. Despite this statutory purpose, not a single kobo from the N683.8 million transaction blitz advanced the institute’s primary research responsibilities.
