Hon Wale Raji, Chairman of the House of Reps Committee on Livestock Development
The House of Representatives is advancing reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector while investigating unpaid compensation for bird flu-affected farmers.
At a public hearing in Abuja on six livestock-related bills, Committee Chairman Wale Raji stated that the proposals aim to establish livestock colleges and research institutes to enhance training, research, and animal production nationwide.
The bills form part of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, designed to expand capacity in animal husbandry and veterinary sciences.
Lawmakers are also probing ₦498.7 million owed to 307 farmers whose birds were culled between 2021 and 2023. Although ₦3.16 billion was previously disbursed to over 1,000 farmers, recent payments have stalled due to limited funding. A recent outbreak in Wukari, Taraba, saw 2,000 birds destroyed, with compensation still pending.
Delays are partly attributed to the absence of an emergency fund for animal diseases since 2021. Under the revised 2022 model, the federal government covers 50% of the costs, states cover 25%, and farmers cover 25%. Only smallholder farmers with fewer than 3,000 birds qualify without insurance.
One bill proposes a Federal College of Animal Husbandry in Ka’oje, Kebbi, aimed at driving innovation, training, and productivity. Sponsors noted that Nigeria lags behind Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia in milk and meat production despite its livestock potential.
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