In an effort to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector and safeguard its rich genetic resources, the Federal Government has officially launched the National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) management.
The unveiling ceremony, held in Abuja, was led by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who hailed the strategy as a landmark achievement in the country’s agricultural and livestock development efforts.
His words: “This is a historic moment. The strategy aligns with global standards and was developed under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES). It marks Nigeria’s renewed commitment to the Interlaken Declaration of 2007, which emphasizes the importance of genetic diversity for food security and rural development.”
The Interlaken Declaration, adopted by 106 countries including Nigeria during the first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources in Switzerland, calls on nations to preserve and sustainably use animal genetic diversity.
Maiha noted that the strategy not only reinforces this commitment but also addresses critical gaps in institutional capacity and funding.
Quoting the declaration, he said, “It affirms the shared and individual responsibilities of governments to conserve, sustainably utilize, and further develop AnGR. It also calls attention to significant capacity gaps at national and international levels and urges coordinated action.”
Maiha also emphasized that the NSAP is rooted in the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for AnGR, a globally recognized framework with 23 strategic priorities focused on areas such as genetic characterization, conservation (both live and gene-bank based), policy formulation, and capacity building.
“These priorities are key to reversing the loss of livestock biodiversity and ensuring the survival of breeds vital to our food systems,” he said.
Speaking on the motivation behind the strategy, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, revealed that Nigeria’s marginal role as an observer—rather than a full participant—at the 13th Regular Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on AnGR at the FAO Headquarters in Rome last year served as a wake-up call.
Abubakar said: “A delegation from the then Department of Animal Husbandry Services and L-PRES was shocked to see Nigeria relegated to observer status.
“This was because we had not fulfilled our commitments to the Interlaken Declaration and the GPA. That moment galvanized us into action.”
He continued, “The NSAP is our response. It’s a tool to domesticate the Global Plan of Action and promote sustainable management of animal genetic resources in Nigeria.”
With the NSAP now officially launched and a National Advisory Committee inaugurated to oversee its implementation, stakeholders are optimistic about the future.
“This plan not only restores Nigeria’s credibility in global livestock circles.
“It also lays a firm foundation for boosting productivity and resilience across our livestock industry,” Abubakar noted.
