The National Assembly of Nigeria has criticized the Federal Government of Nigeria for what lawmakers described as paying lip service to the development of the livestock industry, two years after establishing a dedicated Ministry for the sector.
The dissatisfaction surfaced during a budget defence session involving the Joint Committee on Livestock Development and the Ministry. Lawmakers expressed concern over what they termed inadequate funding and slow implementation of policies aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy through livestock production.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhta Maiha, told the committee that although N70 billion was approved in 2024 as take off funds for the Ministry, only N20 billion has been released. He further disclosed that none of the N10 billion appropriated as capital vote for the 2025 fiscal year has been disbursed.
Maiha lamented that about 65 percent of animals consumed annually in Nigeria are imported, despite the country’s vast potential for red meat production and export valued at N3.2 billion.
Reacting, the committee chairman, Shehu Buba, said lawmakers would seek urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu to address the funding shortfall. He stressed that economic diversification cannot be achieved without serious investment in livestock development.
Senate Whip Tahir Monguno described the situation as contradictory, noting that creating the Ministry without adequate funding undermines its purpose. Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi alleged possible sabotage and urged the committee to engage the President directly.
Lawmakers emphasized that a mono sector economy is unsustainable and pledged to push for improved funding to unlock the livestock sector’s economic potential.
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