Lawmakers Demand Urgent Funding as Livestock Sector Fails to Tap Multi-Billion-Dollar Market

Jane Salihu

The National Assembly has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s failure to harness its multi-billion-dollar livestock market, warning that continued underfunding of the Ministry of Livestock Development could undermine the nation’s economic diversification drive.

Lawmakers raised the alarm during a budget defence session with the Ministry, noting that Nigeria’s meat market is estimated at about $3.2 billion, yet the country still spends huge resources importing animals, animal products and combating transboundary animal diseases.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed that over 55 per cent of animals consumed in Nigeria are imported from Sudan, Niger and other African countries, despite the country’s vast livestock potential.

He further revealed that of the N70 billion approved as take-off funds for the Ministry in 2024, only N20 billion has been released, while the Ministry has been unable to access up to 10 per cent of its capital budget over three years.

Reacting, Senator Abdul Ningi described the situation as disappointing, recalling that the Ministry was created on July 8 with excitement and high expectations that Nigeria would replicate the success of countries such as Brazil and Argentina, where livestock drives significant economic growth.

“This is a sad day. The President created this Ministry with excitement and hope, but it appears somebody somewhere is sabotaging the Ministry without the President’s knowledge. After three years, the Ministry has not accessed even 10 per cent of its capital budget. A letter must be written to Mr President for urgent intervention,” Ningi said.

Similarly, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, accused the Federal Government of paying lip service to the sector, stressing that establishing the Ministry without adequate funding contradicts the goal of economic diversification.
“It is like we are playing lip service to the Ministry. This hearing should draw the attention of the Executive arm of government to properly fund the Livestock Ministry,” Monguno stated.

Monguno also observed that the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service should be placed under the Ministry of Livestock Development to strengthen disease control and livestock regulation, urging the committee to make a strong case for the transfer.

Other lawmakers, including Senator Plang Diket, also contributed to the debate, stressing the need for stronger institutional support to unlock Nigeria’s livestock potential.
In his remarks, the

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shehu Buba, said mono-economy poses a major risk to national development, assuring that the committee would push for adequate funding and structural reforms to position livestock as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economy.