The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Idi Maiha, and the Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Professor Attahiru Jega, have reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with key institutions to drive growth in Nigeria’s livestock and leather industries.
The pledge was made during a working visit to the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), where the delegation was received by the institute’s Director-General, Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Personal Assistant on Media and Communication to the Director-General, Nuhu Basheer Masa, the visit was described as part of ongoing efforts to deepen institutional synergy in support of sectoral development.
According to the statement, Dr. Imam had earlier joined the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, to receive the delegation at the Vice-Chancellor’s office before proceeding to the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika.
At NAPRI, the delegation commissioned facilities and equipment provided under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.
They also toured key sections of the institute, inspecting livestock production facilities and feed systems.
The delegation later proceeded to NILEST, where the management conducted them around the tannery and other departments to inspect equipment and infrastructure.
Speaking during the visit, both the Minister and the Director-General underscored the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure the sustainable development of Nigeria’s livestock and leather value chains.
Dr. Imam reiterated NILEST’s readiness to partner with the Ministry of Livestock Development in implementing policies and programmes aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at boosting productivity, value addition and employment in the sector.
