News in Brief:
– The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has allocated ₦129 million for egg production and project support.
– The 2025 budget prioritises livestock health, infrastructure, and sustainability to enhance food security in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has allocated ₦129 million to initiatives to boost egg production and provide technical support, from its ₦11.8 billion budget for 2025. This move seeks to address Nigeria’s escalating cost of animal protein and enhance food security amidst rising prices of eggs, beef, chicken, and fish.
Egg production and investments in animal health
Of the total budget, ₦44 million is earmarked for expanding the national egg production scheme to make eggs more accessible and affordable to Nigerians. An additional ₦85 million has been allocated for technical backstopping to ensure the effective execution of livestock projects nationwide.
To bolster animal health services, the ministry plans to spend ₦300 million on one million doses of cattle vaccines and ₦125 million on vaccine equipment. Another ₦270 million is set aside for ambulatory vehicles to support veterinary centres, while ₦207 million will be used for pesticides to combat livestock diseases.
Poultry industry support and infrastructure
The budget includes ₦156 million for aerial pest control operations during wet and dry seasons and ₦90 million for a solar-powered vaccine cold room in Oyo State. Furthermore, ₦259 million will go toward rehabilitating abattoirs in Lagos, Adamawa, Enugu, Bayelsa, Benue, and Anambra states, and ₦315 million is designated for ranch development to support sustainable livestock farming.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, emphasised the urgency of revitalising the poultry industry during a meeting with the Poultry Association of Nigeria. Describing the sector as vital to food security and economic growth, the minister assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to immediate interventions.
The ministry’s budget also covers solar-powered borehole projects across 30 federal constituencies, artificial insemination services, disease surveillance, and honey production support. These measures reflect a holistic approach to enhancing livestock productivity, reducing food prices, and addressing policy challenges in the sector. The ministry plans to spend ₦124 million on a ministerial retreat, ₦370 million on vehicles, and over ₦116 million on computers and accessories to improve administrative efficiency.
