A review of Nigeria’s 2026 budget shows that the National Cereals Research Institute plans to spend N1.1 billion on grinding machines, welding equipment, mobile carts, and vulcanising machines. The initiative is intended to empower youths and women in establishing small businesses in the Niger Delta states.

The budget also allocates:

• N4.1 billion for supplying grains to rural farmers in selected South-South communities.
• N4.9 billion for purchasing grains for farmers across all geopolitical zones.
• N350 million for capacity building of grain producers and other stakeholders in Southwestern Nigeria.

In September 2025, a civic watchdog, Civic Accountability Platform (MonITng), criticized similar empowerment projects in Aguata Federal Constituency, Anambra State, alleging mismanagement of public funds. The project, which cost ₦36 million, distributed wheelbarrows, hoes, and cutlasses instead of providing meaningful vocational training or tools for sustainable businesses. MonITng argued that such outdated methods fail to equip youths and women for modern economic realities.

The 2026 budget initiative by the National Cereals Research Institute appears to aim for more technology-driven and skill-based empowerment, aligning with contemporary needs for small business development in the Niger Delta region.