The planned ₦11.8 billion budget allocation for the recently formed Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has drawn criticism from the National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development, which believes it is insufficient for the ministry’s successful launch.
In the ministry’s 2025 budget, the Federal Government has set up ₦1.8 billion for overhead and ₦10 billion for capital expenditures.
The joint committee was presented with the ministry’s financial requirements by Minister Idi Maiha, senior officials, and agency heads during Tuesday’s budget defence session.
The ministry, which was separated from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, started operations three months ago, but it has a lot of obstacles to overcome, such as a shortage of facilities, office space, and necessary equipment.
He stated that the ministry is now being hosted in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in a temporary capacity, while negotiations are still on to obtain permanent office space from the administration of the Federal Capital Territory.
Notwithstanding the financial limitations, Maiha promised that the money allotted would act as a fundamental blueprint for the creation of the ministry.
He highlighted the ministry’s core mandate to address climate change impacts, create economic opportunities in the livestock sector, and engage youth and women in sustainable activities.
As the ministry prepares to start a thorough sensitization campaign through local and national media to increase awareness about its goals and initiatives, Maiha added that capital projects would be allocated across geopolitical zones according to specific needs, hoping to draw in both domestic and foreign investments.
The joint committee responded by requesting that the minister submit a supplemental budget that more appropriately represents the ministry’s financial needs.
Wale Raji, the chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, questioned the Presidential Implementation Committee’s degree of support for the ministry’s creation and demanded a more substantial budget to satisfy Nigerians.
Senate Committee Chairman Musa Mustapha also assured the ministry of the committee’s support in helping it achieve its mandate.
“This meeting is a foundational step, but the ministry must accelerate its efforts and provide progress reports on the challenges outlined for us to offer necessary interventions,” he said.
