Title: NASS Faults FG Over Poor Funding of Livestock Ministry, Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention Date Published: 21 February 2026 Description: The National Assembly has faulted the Federal Government of Nigeria for what it described as paying mere lip service to the development of the nation’s livestock sector, nearly two years after the establishment of a specialised ministry to drive the industry.The criticism was voiced on Friday during a budget defence session between a joint committee on Livestock Development of the legislature and the Ministry of Livestock Development.At the session, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, lamented that Nigeria continues to rely heavily on imports to meet domestic demand for animal products, revealing that about 65 per cent of animals consumed annually in the country are imported despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural endowments.Maiha further disclosed that the country has the potential to earn an estimated ₦3.2 billion annually from red meat exports if the sector is properly developed and funded.He told lawmakers that out of the ₦70 billion approved as take-off funds for the ministry in 2024, only ₦20 billion had so far been released. He also revealed that none of the ₦10 billion capital allocation approved for the 2025 fiscal year had been disbursed.The disclosures sparked strong reactions from members of the committee, led by Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), who expressed shock at the level of funding shortfalls confronting the ministry.Consequently, lawmakers called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to ensure adequate funding for the ministry in line with the administration’s economic diversification agenda.Senate Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), described the situation as contradictory to the rationale behind the creation of the ministry.“The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development in 2024 was driven by the gospel of diversification of the nation’s economy. It is therefore surprising and disappointing that we are now paying lip service to the livestock sector. It is inherently contradictory to create a ministry and then fail to fund it,” Monguno said.Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) suggested that the non-release of capital funds could be the result of sabotage, stressing that such actions might not reflect the President’s intentions.“This is a ministry that must be supported and properly funded by the Federal Government. I suspect sabotage regarding the zero capital allocation because Mr President meant well for livestock development. The leadership of the committee should urgently meet with the President to address the issue,” Ningi stated.The committee reaffirmed its commitment to pushing for increased funding for the livestock sector, noting that Nigeria must move away from over-reliance on a mono-product economy and fully harness the economic potential of livestock development. Attached Images: 2b4b081fd18cd696367a350d4b3251c84775f679e49720979c8ee4bd34ce89c9.jpg Attached Video: None