The National Assembly has criticized the Federal Government for what it called empty promises about developing Nigeria’s livestock industry, two years after the ministry was created for the sector.
The criticism came on Friday during a budget discussion between a joint committee on Livestock Development and the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, told lawmakers that even though Nigeria has significant agricultural potential, around 65 percent of the animals consumed each year in the country come from outside the nation.
He said the trend persists despite Nigeria being capable of earning about N3.2 billion from exporting red meat.
Maiha added that out of the N70 billion approved as start-up funds for the ministry in 2024, only N20 billion has been released. She also noted that none of the N10 billion set aside for capital spending in the 2025 fiscal year has been disbursed.
The information drew strong reactions from committee members, with Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South) leading the response and expressing surprise over the lack of adequate funding.
Lawmakers urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to ensure the ministry receives sufficient funds to support the government’s plan to diversify the economy.
Senate Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North) said the lack of proper funding is inconsistent with the original goal of the ministry.
The Ministry of Livestock Development, created in 2024, was intended to broaden the country’s economic base.
“It’s really surprising and upsetting that we’re now only paying empty compliments to the livestock industry. It doesn’t make sense to set up a ministry and then not provide adequate funding,” Monguno said.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) suggested that sabotage may be the reason the funds have not been released, adding that the situation may not reflect the President’s intentions.
“This is a ministry that needs to be fully backed and funded by the Federal Government. I think someone is trying to block the capital allocation, even though the President intended to support livestock development,” he said.
Ningi urged the committee’s leaders to quickly engage the President on the matter.
The committee also recommended reducing dependence on a single-product economy and pledged to work harder to secure adequate funding for the ministry to achieve genuine economic diversification.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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