Mechanization and Extension Services in the Era of Buharinomics: Myth or Momentum?

The Buhari administration (2015–2023) in Nigeria introduced a suite of agricultural reform policies aimed at revitalizing the sector, with particular emphasis on mechanization and extension services. This paper critically reviews the implementation and outcomes of these policies within the framework of “Buharinomics”—the economic philosophy associated with President Muhammadu Buhari, assessing whether these initiatives constituted genuine developmental momentum or were largely rhetorical. Drawing on policy documents, national agricultural transformation plans, budgetary allocations, and empirical studies, the paper investigates the scope, scale, and impact of government-led mechanization drives and the revitalization of agricultural extension systems. While the era witnessed policy pronouncements and some structural investments—such as partnerships with foreign equipment suppliers and the deployment of extension agents—implementation gaps, inadequate funding, and bureaucratic inertia limited the overall effectiveness of these programs. The analysis suggests that despite notable initiatives like the Green Imperative Program and the National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Strategy, many promises remained under-delivered, reflecting a disconnect between ambition and execution. The paper concludes that while there was clear policy intent, the Buhari era's achievements in mechanization and extension were more myth than sustained momentum, necessitating a rethinking of institutional frameworks and accountability mechanisms in future interventions.