NASS Condemns Neglect of Livestock Industry …As Minister Reveals 65% of Animals Consumed in Nigeria Are Imported

By Iyojo Ameh

The National Assembly on Friday, through its Joint Committee on Livestock Development, criticized the Federal Government for what it described as a lackadaisical approach to the development of Nigeria’s livestock industry, two years after establishing a full-fledged ministry for the sector.

This comes as the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed that about 65 percent of animals consumed annually in Nigeria are imported, despite the country’s potential to generate red meat export value estimated at N3.2 billion.
Lawmakers expressed their displeasure during a budget defence session with the ministry, accusing the Federal Government of handling the livestock sector with levity.
In his presentation on the implementation of the 2025 budget and projections for 2026, the Minister informed the committee that out of the N70 billion approved as take-off funds for the ministry in 2024, only N20 billion had been released.
He further revealed that none of the N10 billion appropriated as capital allocation for the 2025 fiscal year had been disbursed.
Disturbed by the disclosure, members of the committee, led by Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), expressed disbelief and urged the leadership to formally write to President Bola Tinubu, calling for urgent intervention in line with the government’s agenda to diversify the nation’s economy through livestock development, as seen in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Belgium.
The Senate Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), in his remarks, said the inadequate funding contradicts the very purpose for which the ministry was established.
“The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 was anchored on the need to diversify the nation’s economy,” he said.
“It is therefore shocking and disappointing that the livestock sector is now being treated with mere lip service.
“It is contradictory to establish a ministry and then fail to provide it with adequate funding,” he added.
Also speaking, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) alleged possible sabotage behind the poor funding situation, suggesting that President Tinubu may not be aware of the development.
He urged the minister and senior officials of the ministry to openly communicate the challenges confronting them so lawmakers can escalate the issues to the appropriate authorities.
“This is a ministry that deserves strong backing and sufficient funding from the Federal Government. I suspect sabotage in the zero capital allocation because Mr. President had good intentions for livestock development,” he said.
“The committee’s leadership should, as a matter of national urgency, write or seek an audience with Mr. President for prompt intervention.”
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Buba Shehu, emphasized that reliance on a mono-sector economy is detrimental to national growth. He assured that the committee would take all necessary steps to secure adequate funding for the Ministry of Livestock Development to achieve meaningful economic diversification.