The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has described the livestock sector as a critical driver of rural prosperity and a pillar of Africa’s food and economic future.
Mukhtar made this known in his keynote address at the Agriculture Summit Africa 2025, themed “Survival of the Greenest,” held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Abuja.
In a statement made available to AgroNigeria by Ogochukwu Igboamalu, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Information), Press and Public Relations Department, the Minister noted the deep socio-economic significance of livestock across the continent.
“For millions across the continent, livestock is more than an asset; it is a bank, a source of daily nutrition and a cornerstone of cultural identity. It is the engine that drives rural economies.
“Yet, its potential remains largely untapped,” he said.
Mukhtar noted that despite its vast opportunities, the sector continues to be constrained by outdated practices and chronic underinvestment.”
He noted that improved meat and milk supply, enhanced disease control and animal health services, expanded access to soft loans, and the opening up of new economic frontiers as essential pathways to securing Africa’s food future.
The Minister also called for stronger collaboration between financial institutions and livestock producers.
His words: “Let us commit to partnerships where the strength of African finance meets the resilience of the African livestock farmer. By investing in livestock, we are not just investing in agriculture; we are investing in nutrition, in employment, in economic diversification and ultimately in a more secure and prosperous future for all of Africa.”
According to him, the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu, dedicated solely to the livestock sector, is not a mere administrative realignment but “an inspiring, strategic vision to modernise the sector into a vibrant, resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive industry for national food security, job creation, rural development, and poverty reduction.”
He further revealed that the current value of the sector stands at $32 billion, and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) aims to increase this to $74 billion by 2035.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed A. Ibrahim pledged continued collaboration toward promoting agricultural finance across the entire value chain.
