The Nigerian federal government has decided to divide the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security into two separate ministries. According to Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation, one of the ministries will focus on livestock development while the other will handle other aspects of agriculture and food security.
He stated that splitting the ministry would also have several positive effects, including creating more job opportunities, increasing protein production, and generating additional revenue for the government.
The AGF stated, “The President formerly informed Council that a ministry known as Ministry of Livestock Development is being established and this is because he believes that the Ministry of Agriculture should be broken into two, one concentrating on livestock development because of what we stand to achieve in terms of protein, in terms of employment, in terms earnings for the government and how this one will rub off on the lives of an ordinary Nigerian citizen.”
He expressed that the advantages of creating a new ministry surpass the concerns that it might contradict the administration’s cost-cutting efforts.
“What will dictate the decision of government, what is guiding the addition of government or action or reaction of government is the overall interest of Nigerian citizen.”
“In respect of this livestock, the President has taken very serious look at the contribution of agriculture. The Agriculture Ministry now divided into two, having announced that there is going to be another ministry, it goes without saying that those implications will also go with it.
“Apart from improving the protein intake of our people, it also provides money for government because he’s going to be on large scale that will ensure money or revenue for government, and there is also going to be increased employment opportunities for people. These are some of the areas that I think I should clear.”
