By Adekoya Samson, Abuja.
The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the Federal Government’s non-payment of ₦498.7 million in compensation to 307 verified poultry farmers whose farms were affected by avian influenza outbreaks between 2021 and 2023.
Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Hon. Wale Raji, announced the probe during a public hearing on six livestock-related bills at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. He said the inquiry is essential to addressing long-standing challenges in the livestock sector and ensuring justice for affected farmers.
“This hearing provides an opportunity for stakeholders to make valuable inputs that will support livestock growth, improve productivity, and generate employment,” Raji said. He added that the lawmakers are committed to unraveling why compensation has not been paid, insisting on transparency and accountability.
At the hearing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi—represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin—revealed that nearly half a billion naira remains outstanding. He noted that while ₦3.16 billion had been paid to 1,055 farmers in earlier years, the most recent batch remains unsettled due to funding gaps.
Adedoyin explained that compensation payments, which began in 2006, have continued in phases but stalled in recent years due to inadequate budget provisions and the lack of a functional Animal Diseases Contingency Fund. He added that most affected farmers do not have insurance coverage as required by law.
A recent outbreak in Wukari, Taraba State, resulted in the culling of 2,050 birds, but compensation for the affected farmers is also pending.
The ministry official further recalled that the Federal Executive Council approved a revised compensation formula in 2022, requiring the Federal Government to pay 50%, states 25%, and farmers 25%, with eligibility restricted to smallholders with fewer than 3,000 birds.
One of the bills considered during the hearing, sponsored by Hon. Bello Ka’oje, seeks to establish the Federal College of Animal Husbandry to boost training, research, and innovation in livestock production. Ka’oje said the college would strengthen capacity building and support food security efforts nationwide.
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