The Joint Committee on Livestock Development of the Senate and House of Representatives has rejected the proposed N11.8 billion budgetary allocation for the takeoff of the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in the 2025 fiscal year.
Committee Chairman, Senator Musa Mustapha, noted that while lawmakers understand the challenges associated with establishing a new ministry, they will review the budget with the aim of making necessary adjustments.
The Federal Government had allocated N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead costs in the 2025 budget of the ministry, which began operations three months ago.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who appeared before the joint committee alongside officials of the ministry, outlined the challenges facing the new agency, including the absence of adequate structures and office accommodation.
“The takeoff process is ongoing, with necessary structures being formed from existing departments within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. We are yet to secure office accommodation,” Maiha said.
Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Wale Raji, questioned the level of input from the Presidential Implementation Committee in the ministry’s takeoff and expressed concerns over the budgetary allocation.
“There is a need for you to make a special presentation or propose a supplementary budget that reflects the expectations of Nigerians,” Raji stated.
He further criticized the budget as “abysmally low,” adding that it falls short of addressing the ministry’s mandate and meeting the hopes of Nigerians.
The committee is expected to work with the ministry to review the budget and address the critical needs of the newly created ministry.
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