.jpg)
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has dismissed reports claiming it budgeted ₦140 million in its 2026 budget for the rehabilitation of Emir Palaces and Mosques in Kaduna State, describing the claims as false, misleading and a misrepresentation of its budget proposals.
In a statement issued at the weekend by the by Henrietta Okokon, Head of Information and Public Relations ,the Ministry clarified that the projects being circulated in sections of the media and on social media do not form part of its 2026 Headquarters Budget, but belong to the budget of the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, a self-accounting institution under the Ministry with its own separate budget allocation.
The Ministry explained that the College's budget had been wrongly attributed to the Ministry, creating the false impression that it appropriated funds for projects outside its statutory mandate.
"The Ministry wishes to categorically state that these reports are false, misleading and do not accurately represent the Ministry's 2026 budget," the statement said.
It added that, "The budgetary provisions being referenced are not contained in the Headquarters Budget of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. Rather, they are contained in the budget of the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, a self-accounting institution with its own distinct budgetary allocations."
According to the Ministry, in addition to the references to the rehabilitation of Emir Palaces and Mosques, several other unrelated projects contained in the College's budget have also been incorrectly attributed to the Ministry, further fueling public misunderstanding.
The Ministry urged the public, media organisations and other stakeholders to distinguish between the budget of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the separate budgets of its agencies and institutions before drawing conclusions or publishing reports.
It stressed that while it recognises public concerns over the alignment of government expenditure with institutional mandates, the current reports stem from a misunderstanding of the budget structure rather than the Ministry's actual spending priorities.
The statement reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources, noting that it would continue strengthening coordination with agencies under its supervision to ensure budget proposals are aligned with their respective mandates and clearly communicated to the public.
The Ministry also appealed to journalists and media organisations to verify information with relevant government authorities before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.