The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has debunked reports alleging that it budgeted ₦140 million for the rehabilitation of Emir Palaces and Mosques in Kaduna State, describing the claims as false, misleading and a misrepresentation of its 2026 budget.
This was made known to AgroNigeria in a statement signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Henrietta Okokon, on Friday in Abuja.
The Ministry clarified that the budgetary provisions being referenced in the reports are not part of the Headquarters Budget of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development but belong to the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, a self-accounting institution with its own separate budgetary allocations.
According to the statement, several other unrelated projects contained in the budget of the College had also been wrongly attributed to the Ministry, creating the false impression that the Ministry had appropriated funds for projects outside its statutory mandate and priority areas.
“The Ministry wishes to categorically state that these reports are false, misleading and do not accurately represent the Ministry’s 2026 budget,” the statement read.
It further explained that the budget of the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology is distinct from that of the Ministry and should not be interpreted as reflecting the Ministry’s programmes or spending priorities.
The Ministry urged media organisations, members of the public and other stakeholders to distinguish between the budget of the Ministry and those of its agencies and institutions before drawing conclusions or publishing reports.
While acknowledging public concerns over the alignment and clarity of budget proposals submitted by institutions under its supervision, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
According to the statement, the Ministry will continue to strengthen coordination with its agencies to ensure that budget proposals are aligned with their respective institutional mandates, clearly articulated and communicated in a manner that promotes greater public understanding.
The Ministry also called on journalists and media organisations to verify budgetary information with relevant government authorities before publication.
“We encourage journalists and media houses to actively verify data with relevant official Government sources and seek necessary clarifications prior to publication. This collaborative approach ensures the public receives accurate, verified reporting while preventing the spread of misleading information,” the statement added.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency in budget implementation and strengthening public confidence through accurate and responsible communication.
