The National Assembly of Nigeria has voiced its discontent regarding the Federal Government's insufficient financial support for the Ministry of Livestock Development. This issue was brought to the forefront during a recent budget defense session, where lawmakers confronted the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, about the ministry's funding deficiencies. Nearly two years since the ministry's establishment, lawmakers described the government's approach as 'lip service', indicating a lack of serious commitment to the development of the livestock sector.

During the budget session, Minister Maiha revealed troubling statistics, noting that approximately 65 percent of meat consumed in Nigeria is imported, despite the country's substantial potential for red meat production. The market for livestock in Nigeria is estimated to be worth N3.2 billion, and the minister's presentation underscored how inadequate funding has limited the ministry's effectiveness in tapping into this potential. The lawmakers’ concerns reflect growing frustration over economic reliance on imports when domestic production could be viable with better support.

Additionally, the minister highlighted that out of the N70 billion allocated as the take-off fund for the ministry in 2024, only N20 billion had been released to date. This raises significant concerns about the efficacy of government budgeting and priorities, as the livestock sector is critical to food security and agricultural sustainability in Nigeria. The criticism from the National Assembly may prompt a re-evaluation of budgetary allocations and foster more robust governmental action to enhance funding for the livestock industry, which plays a vital role in the national economy.