The House of Representatives on Thursday took a major step toward revitalising Nigeria’s livestock industry and addressing unresolved issues affecting farmers, as its Committee on Livestock Development held a public hearing on key bills and aimed at boosting animal production, research, and compensation for losses.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wale Raji, at the opening of the Public hearing on six bills at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, said the hearing was part of the legislative process to advance the establishment of livestock-related colleges and research institutes across the country while also investigating the non-payment of compensation to victims of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, popularly known as bird flu, in Lagos and other states.
He explained that the Committee was considering a range of referrals, including proposals for colleges of veterinary and animal sciences, animal husbandry, and livestock development in different parts of the country, as well as a research institute focused on grassland and fodder production to support the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
According to him, these institutions would provide training, research, and extension services essential for producing skilled manpower and driving innovation in the sector.
Reacting, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, said the Federal Government owes about ₦498.7 million naira in compensation to poultry farmers affected by recent outbreaks of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, between 2021 and 2023.
Represented by Director, Projects Coordination Department, Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin, said
while over ₦3.16 billion had already been paid to 1,055 farmers affected by previous outbreaks, a new batch of 307 verified farmers whose birds were depopulated during the 2021–2023 resurgence were still awaiting payment due to funding constraints. He added that the ongoing outbreak in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State had led to the depopulation of 2,050 birds, with compensation still under assessment.
According to data presented to lawmakers, compensation payments in Nigeria’s battle against avian influenza have been made in phases since the country first recorded the disease in 2006. Between 2006 and 2011, ₦630.9 million was paid to 300 farmers with support from the World Bank. Another ₦674.2 million was disbursed to 276 farmers between 2015 and 2016, while ₦1.81 billion and ₦47 million were paid to 450 and 29 farmers in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Dr. Adedoyin explained that the delay in compensating affected farmers in recent years was due to a lack of funds from both development partners and government sources, as well as the absence of an Animal Diseases Contingency or Emergency Fund (ADEF) to provide quick financial response to livestock health crises. He also noted that inadequate budgetary allocations and the low uptake of insurance by poultry farmers had further compounded the problem.
Speaking on a bill for an an ACT to establish the federal college of Animal Husbandry,
Hon. Bello Ka’oje, said the proposed institution, is envisioned as a specialised agricultural college that will drive research, innovation, and manpower development in animal husbandry to boost food security and create economic opportunities across the livestock value chain.
Hon. Ka’oje said the legislation, titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Animal Husbandry, Ka’oje, Kebbi State and for Related Matters (HB. 1929), passed its second reading on December 3, 2024, and now seeks the input of stakeholders toward its passage.
He explained that the proposed college would serve as a statutory institution with a mandate to provide solutions to challenges in animal husbandry, promote extension services, and help livestock farmers explore the economic and business potential in the sector. It would also train professionals through certificate, diploma, and degree programmes in animal husbandry, supported by research and community outreach initiatives.
“The main objective of this bill,” Hon. Ka’oje stated, “is to enhance livestock development through improved methods of animal breeding, training, and innovation. This will directly impact livestock productivity, job creation, and the nutritional wellbeing of our country.”
He described the location of the college in Ka’oje, Kebbi State, as both strategic and equitable, given the region’s prominence in livestock production and the need to ensure even distribution of federal educational institutions across the country.
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Citing statistics from Wikipedia (2022), Ka’oje lamented that Nigeria still lags behind several African countries in livestock production despite its vast potential. He said Nigeria ranks 94th globally in milk production and 33rd in meat production, behind countries such as Egypt, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
“It is clear that Nigeria can do better in increasing its livestock production through improved ways of animal breeding,” he said. “This proposed college will play a vital role in achieving that by training the next generation of livestock experts and improving the quality of animal production nationwide.”
The lawmaker noted that the bill provides a comprehensive administrative framework for the institution, including its governing council, management structure, academic board, and statutory committees to ensure efficient administration and academic excellence.
He urged his colleagues and all stakeholders present at the hearing to support the passage of the bill, stressing that livestock development is a key driver of national growth and rural prosperity.
“The need to increase capacity for training, promote research, and strengthen extension services in animal husbandry cannot be overemphasized,” Ka’oje said. “I therefore appeal to my respected colleagues and all stakeholders to lend their support so that this bill can progress for further legislative action.”
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