The National Assembly has taken issue with the Federal Government, accusing it of paying mere lip service to the advancement of Nigeria’s livestock sector, nearly two years after creating a standalone ministry to drive growth in the industry.
The criticism was voiced on Friday during a budget defence session involving a joint committee on Livestock Development and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, informed lawmakers that despite Nigeria’s enormous agricultural resources, approximately 65 per cent of the livestock consumed each year in the country is sourced from abroad.
He cautioned that this pattern continues even though Nigeria has the potential to earn an estimated ₦3.2 billion annually from the export of red meat.
Maiha further revealed that of the ₦70 billion approved as initial funding for the ministry in 2024, only ₦20 billion had actually been released. He also disclosed that none of the ₦10 billion earmarked as capital expenditure in the 2025 budget had been disbursed.
The disclosures triggered strong reactions from members of the committee chaired by Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South. Lawmakers expressed concern and disbelief over the apparent funding gaps, questioning the government’s commitment to the sector’s development.
Members of the committee urged President Bola Tinubu to step in and ensure that the ministry receives adequate financial support, consistent with the administration’s broader strategy of diversifying the economy away from heavy reliance on oil.
Senate Whip Senator Tahir Monguno, who represents Borno North, described the situation as inconsistent with the original purpose behind establishing the ministry. He stated, “The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 was driven by the gospel of diversification of the nation’s economy. It is therefore surprising and disappointing that we are now paying lip service to the livestock sector. It is inherently contradictory to create a ministry and then fail to fund it.”
Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Bauchi Central, suggested that the absence of capital releases might be the result of internal sabotage, arguing that such funding shortfalls may not reflect the President’s true intentions.
“This is a ministry that must be supported and properly funded by the Federal Government. I suspect sabotage regarding the zero capital allocation because Mr President meant well for livestock development. He urged the committee’s leadership to urgently meet with the President to address the issue,” Ningi stated.
The committee reiterated the need for Nigeria to reduce dependence on a mono-product economy and pledged to intensify its efforts to secure sufficient funding for the ministry.
Lawmakers stressed that meaningful economic diversification would require consistent and adequate investment in sectors such as livestock, which hold significant potential for job creation, food security, and export earnings.
What you should know
The National Assembly has criticised the Federal Government for inadequate funding of the Ministry of Livestock Development, nearly two years after its creation.
Lawmakers were informed that only ₦20 billion of the ₦70 billion approved in 2024 had been released, while no capital funds for 2025 had been disbursed. The minister also disclosed that about 65 per cent of livestock consumed in Nigeria is imported despite strong export potential.
Senators have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure proper financing in line with the country’s economic diversification agenda.
