The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has initiated discussions with Heifer International on strengthening collaboration to fast-track the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Speaking during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the engagement reflects Nigeria’s renewed drive to unlock the full potential of its livestock industry through strategic partnerships and targeted reforms.
Maiha noted that Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest livestock populations and represents the continent’s biggest market for animal products. According to him, the country’s population of more than 240 million people continues to drive increasing demand for meat, dairy, poultry and leather products, creating vast opportunities for investment and expansion across the livestock value chain.
He explained that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the sector as a major contributor to food security, rural livelihoods and economic diversification.
The minister further highlighted the ministry’s policy framework, the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which aims to modernise livestock production systems, strengthen animal health and breeding infrastructure, expand feed and fodder resources and build competitive livestock value chains across the country.
Earlier, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Heifer International, Surita Sandosham, commended the Federal Government’s vision for the livestock sector and expressed the organisation’s readiness to deepen its engagement with Nigeria.
Sandosham disclosed that through the Naija Unlock Signature Programme, Heifer Nigeria aims to support more than two million households to achieve sustainable living incomes by 2030. She noted that the target would require strong collaboration with government institutions as well as an enabling policy environment.
She added that Heifer International is prepared to serve as a technical partner to the Nigerian government, working with the ministry to scale proven models in dairy productivity, animal health services, community-based veterinary systems and youth-driven livestock enterprises.
According to her, the collaboration would help build resilient livestock systems, expand economic opportunities for women and young people and contribute significantly to national food security and rural prosperity.
