The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has dismissed as “false and misleading” reports that it allocated funds for the rehabilitation of Emir palaces and mosques in the 2026 budget.
In a weekend press statement issued in Abuja, the ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, clarified that the budgetary provisions in question do not feature in the ministry’s headquarters budget.
The items were incorrectly attributed to the ministry, she explained, when they actually belong to the budget of the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology in Vom, Plateau State – a self-accounting institution with its own distinct allocations.
The ministry specifically refuted claims that N140 million had been earmarked for palace and mosque renovations in Kaduna State, stressing that such projects fall outside its mandate and priorities.
Acknowledging public concerns over budgetary alignment, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and prudent resource management, pledging to strengthen coordination with its supervisory agencies to ensure proposals clearly reflect institutional mandates.
The statement urged journalists and stakeholders to verify information with official government sources before publication.
“As partners in public information, we encourage media houses to actively verify data with relevant official sources and seek clarifications prior to publication,” Okokon said, adding that this would prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure accurate reporting.