The Federal Government and Benue State are set to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector through a strategic partnership aimed at boosting economic growth, modernizing animal farming, and fostering lasting peace.
At the 1st Benue State Livestock Development Summit in Makurdi, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to repositioning the sector as a key driver of national prosperity.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for establishing the Benue State Bureau for Livestock Development, a move he described as visionary and in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Maiha highlighted that Nigeria’s livestock sector currently contributes 9% to the GDP, valued at $32 billion, with projections to grow to $74 billion by 2035. He noted that the Ministry has digitized grazing routes and is set to regrass 417 grazing reserves to provide structured settlements for pastoralists.
However, states have been encouraged to allocate land for pasture production to tap into the $2.09 billion global fodder market. Plans are also in place to establish disease-free zones in Obudu Cattle Ranch and the Mambila Plateau to ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global meat trade.
Governor Alia, in his remarks, emphasized that while Benue has long been known for crop production, livestock farming presents an untapped opportunity for wealth creation, food security, and economic diversification.
He unveiled plans to rehabilitate state-owned livestock facilities, including the Ikyôgen Cattle Ranch and the Makurdi International Cattle Market, while maintaining the enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law.
He further announced the adoption of “Pasture as a Fodder Crop” in 2025, a strategic initiative to produce and market high-quality pasture for livestock farmers across Nigeria. Calling for policy reforms to promote ranching as the national standard for livestock management, he reiterated Benue’s commitment to leading the charge in sustainable animal farming.
With both the Federal Government and Benue State aligning their efforts, the livestock sector is set for a new era of structured development, economic expansion, and conflict resolution, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global livestock production.
