National Assembly Committee Criticizes N11.8 Billion Budget for New Livestock Ministry

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development has expressed concerns over the N11.8 billion allocated to the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, deeming it inadequate for the ministry’s operations. The budget proposal includes N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead costs for the 2025 fiscal year.

Rep. Wale Raji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development, voiced his dissatisfaction with the amount, stating that it was insufficient to meet the expectations of Nigerians. “The budget is abysmally low to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians,” he said, urging the ministry to either provide a special presentation or propose a supplementary budget that better reflects the country’s needs.

Similarly, Senator Musa Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock, stressed the importance of supporting the ministry in achieving its mandate. He acknowledged the challenges the ministry faces and emphasized the need for progress reports to allow the joint committee to make necessary interventions.

Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, provided an update on the ministry’s operations, noting that the ministry had begun operations using structures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. He explained that the ministry still lacked proper office accommodations, equipment, and other facilities required to function as a fully independent entity. Currently, the ministry is temporarily operating from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Maiha stated that despite the modest budget, the funds would be used to establish a clear roadmap for the ministry’s development. He also highlighted plans for capital projects in each geopolitical zone, with a focus on attracting both local and foreign investments. Additionally, the ministry plans to undertake a large-scale public awareness campaign through national and local media outlets.

Following the discussions, the committee instructed the minister to harmonize the ministry’s financial needs and resubmit them as part of a supplementary budget. The committee assured that it would expedite approval once the revised budget was submitted.