The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has stressed the importance of strong partnerships in sustaining reforms and driving long term growth in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Maiha made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with representatives of the UK funded SPRiNG Programme at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The delegation was led by the Programme’s Team Leader, Ukoha Ukiwo.
According to the minister, the technical support provided by the programme came at a critical stage and significantly strengthened the Ministry’s efforts to stabilise operations and implement key initiatives.
He noted that the next phase should focus on preserving the progress already achieved and converting current reforms into lasting results that will strengthen the sector over time.
Maiha also praised the programme’s contributions to peace and security efforts in communities affected by conflict, explaining that improved peace creates a better environment for livestock productivity and economic activities.
The minister further commended SPRiNG for supporting the Ministry’s communication system, saying the intervention has improved engagement with stakeholders and enhanced the clarity of official messaging.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to deepen cooperation with development partners, adding that sustained collaboration would be necessary as the Ministry continues to expand its responsibilities and reform agenda.
Earlier, Ukiwo said the SPRiNG Programme remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s livestock transformation efforts through broader collaboration in several strategic areas.
He explained that over the past year, the programme had partnered with the Ministry on initiatives relating to peace and security, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and institutional capacity development.
Ukiwo added that the organisation was seeking ways to strengthen existing interventions and align future activities with the Ministry’s priorities in order to achieve measurable and sustainable outcomes.
During the meeting, both parties identified several areas for further cooperation, including livestock data management systems and the introduction of pilot animal identification and traceability projects in selected states as a foundation for nationwide implementation.
They also discussed programmes aimed at empowering women and youths within the livestock value chain to encourage inclusive growth, improve productivity, and strengthen governance across the sector.
