Reps Launch Probe Into N498.7m Unpaid Bird Flu Compensation, Push Major Reforms in Livestock Sector
The House of Representatives has moved to overhaul Nigeria’s livestock industry as it opens an investigation into the Federal Government’s failure to pay N498.7 million in compensation to 307 poultry farmers who lost their birds to avian influenza outbreaks between 2021 and 2023.
Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Hon. Wale Raji, announced the probe during a public hearing on six livestock-related bills on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The proposed bills seek to establish new livestock colleges, research institutions, and capacity-building centres aimed at boosting animal production and veterinary training nationwide.
Raji said the public hearing offered a platform for stakeholders to propose solutions to the mounting challenges in the livestock sector while addressing the unresolved compensation claims of poultry farmers hit by bird flu.
“We are deeply concerned about the prolonged delay in compensating affected poultry farmers,” he said. “Our committee will ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency in the entire process.”
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin, disclosed that while ₦3.16 billion had previously been paid to 1,055 farmers impacted by earlier outbreaks, the latest batch remains unpaid due to insufficient funding.
He explained that since the suspension of the Animal Diseases Emergency Fund in 2021, no dedicated financial structure has existed for rapid response to disease outbreaks. He also revealed a fresh outbreak in Wukari, Taraba State, where 2,050 birds were culled without compensation yet processed.
Adedoyin attributed the delays to budget gaps and poor insurance coverage among farmers, as mandated by the revised Federal Executive Council compensation formula requiring federal, state, and farmer contributions of 50%, 25%, and 25% respectively.
Hon. Raji noted that the House Committee’s actions support the broader National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which seeks to modernize livestock practices, strengthen veterinary services, and enhance food production.
“Our priority is a sustainable livestock sector that drives food security, job creation, and economic diversification,” he said. “We will ensure affected farmers get their due compensation and that government establishes emergency funds to avoid future setbacks.”
Among the bills under review is one sponsored by Hon. Bello Ka’oje (Kebbi State), seeking the establishment of the Federal College of Animal Husbandry, Ka’oje. The institution aims to serve as a centre of excellence in breeding, livestock management, and innovation.
Ka’oje stressed the urgency of improving Nigeria’s global ranking in livestock output, noting that the country currently stands at 94th in milk production and 33rd in meat production as of 2022—falling behind regional peers like Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Raji concluded that the House of Representatives is committed to transparency in livestock administration and ensuring that all stakeholders—from smallholders to large-scale operators—benefit from government policies.
“We will leave no stone unturned in repositioning the livestock industry as a backbone of national growth, rural development, and economic resilience,” he said.
