IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development has labeled the N11.8 billion allocated for the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in the 2025 budget as insufficient for the ministry’s effective take-off. The committee called for a supplementary budget to meet the needs of the newly established ministry.
During a budget defense session, Hon. Wale Raji, Chair of the House Committee on Livestock Development, stressed that the proposed funding falls short of public expectations and urged the ministry to present a more comprehensive financial plan.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, explained that the ministry, carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security three months ago, is still grappling with structural and operational challenges. The ministry lacks office accommodations, facilities, and essential equipment, currently operating from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Maiha assured the committee that the proposed budget, though small, provides a roadmap for the ministry’s goals, including tackling climate change, boosting youth and women participation in the livestock sector, and facilitating local and foreign investment. The joint committee pledged expedited approval of a revised supplementary budget.
House Committee Rejects Government’s Envelope Budgeting System
The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has criticized the federal government’s envelope budgeting approach, calling it legally unsupported and inadequate for addressing the nation’s diplomatic needs.
The committee decried the allocation of N286 million for Nigeria’s 109 foreign missions as insufficient, given the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ initial recommendation of N1.5 trillion based on a needs assessment. Hon. Wole Oke, the committee chairman, argued that the system fails to reflect legal requirements and undermines Nigeria’s global image.
In response, Budget Office Director General Tanimu Yakubu defended the 2025 budget, noting a 25% increase in allocations for foreign missions. Yakubu also suggested reducing the number of foreign missions to match revenue generation capabilities. He highlighted recent fiscal reforms, including subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate liberalization, which are expected to save N11 trillion annually and improve the nation’s financial position.
NHRC Defends Budget, Seeks Higher Allocation for Human Rights Challenges
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an increase in its proposed 2025 budget from N8 billion to N19.55 billion, citing rising costs and an escalating volume of human rights complaints.
During a budget presentation to the Senate and House Committees on Human Rights, NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu highlighted the commission’s achievements, including a 99.9% implementation rate for its 2024 budget and the construction of eight new state offices.
Ojukwu argued that the proposed budget aims to address emerging challenges such as terrorism, communal conflicts, natural disasters, and inflation. He explained that the current allocation would be insufficient to handle the over two million complaints received annually, with each investigation costing approximately N8,000.
The joint committee commended the NHRC’s strategic focus but urged the commission to clarify specific budgetary components. Lawmakers assured the commission of their support in advocating for an increased allocation to bolster human rights enforcement nationwide.
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