Managing Director of the Commodities Development Initiative (CDI), Dr. Roland Oroh, has called for greater cooperation between the public and private sectors to eliminate trade barriers, align with international standards, and encourage investment in abattoirs and meat processing facilities.
Speaking at a high-level meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025, Dr. Oroh highlighted the opportunities Nigeria has in expanding its livestock exports, particularly to the Middle East.
The meeting, led by Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, also included the Permanent Secretary, technical experts, and other key stakeholders.
They reviewed the country’s readiness for a stronger presence in the global livestock trade and discussed ways to strengthen Nigeria’s position in international markets.
Dr. Oroh emphasized that Nigeria has considerable potential in exporting key products such as red meat, live animals, fodder, and soya bean meal.
He stressed that to fully capitalize on these opportunities, the country must enhance industry standards, improve infrastructure, and create an environment that supports private sector involvement.
The discussion also focused on critical areas such as livestock identification and traceability, risk assessment procedures, laboratory standardization, cold chain storage, and adherence to import protocols.
The committee then addressed the need for establishing ranch operations dedicated to sourcing young bulls for fattening and processing.
Members of the committee agreed that Nigeria has a competitive advantage in the immediate export of red meat and fodder, particularly to the Gulf States.
They encouraged CDI to prioritize these areas in the short term, aligning efforts with global market demands.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to developing a national framework for animal disease control, enforcing strict certification for abattoir construction, and scheduling upcoming technical discussions on livestock feed, breeding practices, and disease-free zones.
The session was attended by representatives from various organizations, including the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Maizube Farms, and Abis Abattoir.
