Livestock Ministry Denies ₦140m Palace, Mosque Budget Claim

"The controversial budget items do not appear in its headquarters' 2026 budget." FMLD

.... Says "the allocations are contained in the separate budget of the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, a self-accounting institution with its own independent budget."

.... Calls on journalists and media organisations to verify budget information with relevant government authorities before publication. Accurate reporting is essential to preventing the spread of misinformation and promoting public trust.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has dismissed reports alleging it earmarked ₦140 million in its 2026 budget for the rehabilitation of Emir palaces and mosques in Kaduna State, describing the claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry's Head of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, the Ministry clarified that the controversial budget items do not appear in its headquarters' 2026 budget.

According to the Ministry, the allocations are contained in the separate budget of the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, a self-accounting institution with its own independent budget.

It noted that several other projects in the college's budget had also been wrongly attributed to the Ministry, creating the false impression that it had appropriated funds for projects outside its mandate and core priorities.

The Ministry urged the media and the public to distinguish between its budget and those of agencies and institutions under its supervision before drawing conclusions or publishing reports.

While acknowledging public concerns over the clarity and alignment of budget proposals by its agencies, the Ministry pledged to strengthen oversight and coordination to ensure future budget submissions are consistent with institutional mandates and communicated more transparently.

It also called on journalists and media organisations to verify budget information with relevant government authorities before publication, stressing that accurate reporting is essential to preventing the spread of misinformation and promoting public trust.