Chukwu Obinna 
Assortment of raw meat chicken , beef and pork . front view
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria depends on foreign sources for 65 per cent of its livestock consumption, despite possessing a red meat export potential valued at ₦3.2 billion, the Minister of Livestock Development reveals.
Appearing before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development in Abuja on Friday, Minister Mukhtar Maiha says chronic underfunding is crippling the ministry’s ability to drive sectoral growth. He tells lawmakers that only ₦20 billion of the ₦70 billion approved as a take-off fund in 2024 is released, while the entire ₦10 billion capital allocation for 2025 fails to materialise.
The disclosures trigger sharp reactions from committee members, who describe the situation as contradictory to the federal government’s diversification agenda. Lawmaker Tahir Monguno calls the funding gap “lip service,” arguing that creating a ministry without financing undermines its mandate.
Another member, Abdul Ningi, alleges possible internal sabotage, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may be unaware of the zero capital releases. “Mr President meant well for livestock development,” Ningi says, urging direct engagement with the presidency.
Committee Chairman Buba Shehu vows legislative intervention, warning that overreliance on a single economic sector has historically harmed nations. He says the committee will formally communicate its concerns to President Tinubu as a matter of urgency.
Maiha maintains that with adequate funding, Nigeria can cut imports, strengthen food security, create jobs and position itself as a regional red-meat exporter.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
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