The Federal Government has reaffirmed its readiness to work with investors and development partners to unlock the vast opportunities in Nigeria’s livestock industry as part of efforts to strengthen food security and stimulate economic growth.
Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance at a breakfast meeting organised by the Agro-Allied Group of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Represented at the event, the minister said the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development reflected the government’s determination to harness the enormous potential of the sector and position it as a major contributor to national development.
According to him, achieving this objective will depend on close collaboration with private investors, research organisations, development agencies, and international partners, particularly those from the United States.
He said the ministry remains committed to supporting partnerships that promote technology transfer, strengthen capacity, attract investment, expand market opportunities, and encourage sustainable livestock production.
The minister added that the government’s priority is to build partnerships capable of driving innovation, improving food security, encouraging investment, and delivering sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the event, National President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, said Nigeria’s challenge is not a shortage of agricultural resources but the inability to convert those resources into greater economic value.
He stressed that improvements in logistics and compliance with export standards would create more stable and better paying jobs, especially for young people, while helping the country maximise returns from agriculture.
Balogun noted that agriculture already contributes significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product but has the potential to become the fastest growing sector if productivity improves and value addition receives greater attention.
He stated that available data indicate a three percent increase in agricultural productivity could result in more than a seven percent rise in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Chairman of the chamber’s Agriculture and Agro Allied Group, Mr Tunde Temowo, described Nigeria as a country blessed with extensive arable land, a youthful population, and significant opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
He observed that the United States possesses extensive experience in agricultural technology, investment, and market development, making stronger cooperation between both countries beneficial to agribusiness growth.
Temowo said the timing of the meeting was important because the Federal Government has continued to prioritise food security and livestock development, creating opportunities for the private sector to transform government policies into commercially viable investments.
Also speaking, United States Agriculture Counsellor at the Foreign Agricultural Service, Dr Christopher Bielecki, said trade relations between Nigeria and the United States have continued to improve, with bilateral trade recording steady growth.
He identified animal feed production as one of the sectors with strong investment prospects and expressed confidence that deeper collaboration between both countries would unlock additional opportunities for growth and value addition in agriculture.
The breakfast meeting, themed Harvest of Opportunity: Nigeria US Agribusiness Partnership for the Twenty First Century, brought together government officials, business leaders, and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for expanding investment, strengthening partnerships, and improving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
