The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has moved to dispel claims linking its 2026 budget to a ₦140 million allocation for the rehabilitation of Emir palaces and mosques in Kaduna State, saying the reports are based on a mistaken interpretation of federal budget documents.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry described the reports as false and misleading, maintaining that no such provision exists in its headquarters’ 2026 budget.
Signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, the statement explained that the controversial budget lines belong to the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, which operates as a self-accounting institution with its own independent budget.
The Ministry said several other projects contained in the college’s budget had also been wrongly attributed to it, creating the false impression that it had proposed funding for initiatives outside its core mandate.
It stressed that the distinction between the Ministry’s budget and those of its agencies had been overlooked in the reports, leading to public misunderstanding.
While urging media organisations and the public to verify budget information before publication, the Ministry called for greater care in distinguishing between the headquarters’ budget and the separate appropriations of agencies under its supervision.
The Ministry also acknowledged public concerns over the quality and alignment of budget proposals submitted by institutions under its oversight, pledging to strengthen internal coordination to ensure future budget submissions better reflect institutional mandates and are presented with greater clarity.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, while assuring stakeholders that efforts are underway to improve budget communication and public understanding.Livestock Ministry Distances 2026 Budget from Controversial ₦140m Kaduna Projects
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has moved to dispel claims linking its 2026 budget to a ₦140 million allocation for the rehabilitation of Emir palaces and mosques in Kaduna State, saying the reports are based on a mistaken interpretation of federal budget documents.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry described the reports as false and misleading, maintaining that no such provision exists in its headquarters’ 2026 budget.
Signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, the statement explained that the controversial budget lines belong to the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, which operates as a self-accounting institution with its own independent budget.
The Ministry said several other projects contained in the college’s budget had also been wrongly attributed to it, creating the false impression that it had proposed funding for initiatives outside its core mandate.
It stressed that the distinction between the Ministry’s budget and those of its agencies had been overlooked in the reports, leading to public misunderstanding.
While urging media organisations and the public to verify budget information before publication, the Ministry called for greater care in distinguishing between the headquarters’ budget and the separate appropriations of agencies under its supervision.
The Ministry also acknowledged public concerns over the quality and alignment of budget proposals submitted by institutions under its oversight, pledging to strengthen internal coordination to ensure future budget submissions better reflect institutional mandates and are presented with greater clarity.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, while assuring stakeholders that efforts are underway to improve budget communication and public understanding.