The Federal Government has restated its determination to revitalise Nigeria’s livestock sector as a key driver of economic expansion, food security, and national stability.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave this assurance in Abuja on Tuesday during a high-level workshop that brought together development partners, donor agencies, and international organisations to explore areas of collaboration.
The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), carried the theme “Strengthening Strategic Partnerships for Livestock Transformation.”
It served as a platform for stakeholders to align priorities and mobilise support for the comprehensive reform of the industry.
Maiha explained that the establishment of the ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024 reflected the government’s resolve to unlock the sector’s vast potential and transform it into a multibillion-dollar industry.
He said the goal was to position livestock as a major contributor to the country’s target of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
According to him, the ministry has developed the Nigeria National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS 2025–2035), a detailed roadmap designed to stimulate investment, promote innovation, and ensure inclusive growth.
The strategy, approved by the National Economic Council, focuses on ten key areas including value chain development, animal health, feed and fodder, infrastructure, financing, women empowerment, and peacebuilding.
“Delivering on these pillars is not optional,” the minister said. “It is central to building a sustainable livestock economy that supports jobs, trade, and stability across Nigeria.”
Maiha disclosed that early gains had already been recorded with the rehabilitation of more than 400 grazing reserves, the validation of the National Animal Feeds and Fodder Policy, and the creation of eleven trans-boundary disease control posts along cattle routes.
He also announced that Nigeria had secured 2.5 billion dollars in investment pledges from leading Brazilian livestock firms, including global meat processor JBS, following engagements at the G20 Summit in Brazil.
“These partnerships show that the world is taking Nigeria’s livestock sector seriously,” he noted. “They signal that we are ready for investment, technology, and growth.”
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the gathering as a turning point for donor coordination in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
She said that while international partners had made important contributions in areas such as dairy development, animal health, and conflict mitigation, the sector remained underfinanced compared to its potential.
“This meeting is our opportunity to shift from isolated donor projects to unified outcomes,” she said. “By aligning with the NL-GAS, we can multiply the impact of every dollar invested, attract private capital, and create millions of jobs.”
Citing recent projections by the IMF and World Bank that Nigeria’s economy will grow between 3.9 and 4.2 percent in 2025 and 2026, Akujobi emphasised that the livestock sector could serve as a key pillar for inclusive growth if well-coordinated.
Also speaking, Hussein Gadain, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Nigeria, commended the Federal Government for establishing a dedicated ministry and developing a clear strategic framework for livestock development.
He assured that the FAO would continue to provide technical and policy support to strengthen animal health systems, enhance feed and fodder production, and promote climate-resilient livestock practices.
The workshop drew participants from the World Bank, IFAD, African Development Bank, USAID, FAO, ECOWAS, and major international NGOs. Stakeholders agreed to form a joint coordination platform to align development initiatives with the NL-GAS 2025–2035 framework.
