Role of the Three Tiers of Government in the Provision of Sustainable Agricultural Extension Service in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper focused on how the three tiers of government actually work in delivering extension services, and whether there is synergy of responsibilities—both financial and managerial—to improve accountability and performance. This analysis provides some informed speculation on what could be expected in terms of outcomes/performance if roles and responsibilities are clearly stated. Thus, it aims to contribute to the process of transformation in the country to reach an agreement on which tier is best suited to undertake extension expenditure responsibilities and how these should be financed. What institutional arrangements would enable better performance in the delivery of extension services? The public extension delivery system operative in Nigeria was reviewed highlighting the major challenges and way forward. The need for a legislated agricultural extension policy championed by the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE) was recommended. Introduction There are three tiers of government in Nigeria, namely the federal, state, and local governments. These three levels of government share the authority and responsibility for the provision of agricultural services. The federal government is mainly responsible for regulating and funding agricultural research and development activities. It also provides subsidized inputs (fertilizer) and credit, and shares the responsibility for some agricultural services with the State governments. The State governments share the costs of agricultural subsidies with the federal government, and some of them provide additional fertilizer subsidies. The states are also responsible for providing agricultural extension services. Finally, the local governments are mainly responsible for the actual delivery of various agricultural services. Although the federal government provides subsidized credit, the state and local governments also play important roles in channeling these resources to their constituencies (FMARD, 2001). Although agricultural extension is on the concurrent list of the constitution, the federal government to-date, has always taken the responsibility for a major portion of the funding,