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… as Lawmakers decry neglect of livestock sector
…urge Tinubu’s urgent intervention over poor funding
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The revelation by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhta Maiha, that 65 per cent of animals consumed annually in Nigeria are imported, despite the country’s huge production potential, on Friday triggered sharp criticism from the National Assembly, which accused the Federal Government of paying mere lip service to the livestock industry two years after establishing a full-fledged ministry for the sector.
The lawmakers, sitting as a Joint Committee on Livestock Development, expressed deep dissatisfaction over what they described as gross neglect and poor funding of the ministry, warning that the situation could undermine the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.
Speaking during the 2025 budget performance review and defence of the 2026 proposals by the ministry, Maiha lamented that although Nigeria has a red meat exportation potential valued at N3.2 billion, the country still depends heavily on imports to meet local demand.
He further disclosed that out of the N70 billion approved as take-off fund for the ministry in 2024, only N20 billion has been released, while nothing was disbursed from the N10 billion capital allocation for the 2025 fiscal year.
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The disclosure drew angry reactions from members of the committee, led by Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), who described the funding situation as unacceptable and called for urgent intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
The committee resolved to formally write the President, urging him to address the funding crisis in line with the administration’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy through livestock development, as successfully practised in countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Belgium.
Leading the criticism, the Senate Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, said the poor funding contradicted the very rationale behind the establishment of the ministry.
“Establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 was driven by the gospel of diversification of the nation’s economy.
“It is therefore to my surprise and disgust that we are paying lip service to the livestock sector now.
“We need to drum it into the ears of the Executive that it is inherently contradictory to create the ministry and woefully fail to fund it,” Monguno said.
In his contribution, Abdul Ningi alleged that the zero capital release might be a case of sabotage, insisting that President Tinubu could be unaware of the situation.
“This is a ministry that must be supported and well funded by the Federal Government. I am suspecting sabotage on the zero capital allocation because Mr President meant well for livestock development.
“The leadership of this committee should, as a matter of urgent national importance, write or meet Mr President for urgent intervention,” Ningi said.
He also urged the minister and top management of the ministry to speak out on the challenges confronting them, assuring that the lawmakers would amplify the concerns to the appropriate authorities.
In his closing remarks, Senator Shehu Buba stressed that a mono-sector economy cannot drive sustainable growth, assuring that the committee would do everything within its powers to secure adequate funding for the livestock ministry to place Nigeria on a firm path of economic diversification.
“A mono-sector economy does not help any nation. That is why we will ensure this ministry is properly funded to deliver on its mandate and reposition the economy,” Buba said.
