The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said that efficient livestock transportation goes beyond simply moving animals from one place to another, stressing the need for a coordinated system that guarantees product quality, reduces losses, and strengthens Nigeria’s red meat and dairy industries.
Maiha made this known while addressing participants at the seventh National Transport Conference of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) in Abuja, a three-day event themed “Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness.”
He said effective transport links between ranches, abattoirs, and markets determine the overall performance of the livestock value chain and have a direct impact on profitability.
According to him, ensuring “chain integrity” across every stage of movement is essential to achieving both food safety and economic sustainability.
He noted that when animals are moved efficiently under proper conditions, it enhances meat quality, reduces waste, and maintains steady supply for processing.
“Livestock transport must be managed as part of a complete value chain, not as an isolated activity,” Maiha stated. “A reliable system ensures that animals arrive in good condition, processing plants operate without disruption, and consumers receive safe, quality products.”
The Minister further emphasised the importance of technology-driven logistics such as temperature-controlled trucks, route optimisation, and real-time tracking to preserve product quality and prevent spoilage. He warned that poor transport and broken cold chains could lead to contamination, food waste, and revenue loss.
Turning to the dairy sector, Maiha noted that the movement of milk requires faster and more specialised handling than other commodities.
He said insulated tankers and efficient collection routes are crucial to maintaining freshness and meeting hygiene standards.
“The dairy value chain depends on speed and precision,” he said. “Milk must reach processing plants within hours to preserve its nutritional content and market value.”
He also highlighted the need for humane livestock handling, explaining that stress during transportation affects meat texture and safety.
Features such as proper ventilation, safe flooring, and gentle loading mechanisms, he said, should be standard in all livestock transport operations.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to a transparent and efficient transport sector that supports agriculture and industry.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who served as Special Guest of Honour, outlined the achievements of his administration in improving road networks to enhance rural access and trade.
He said the ongoing construction of more than eighty urban and rural roads, covering about seven hundred and eighty kilometres, is part of efforts to connect communities and boost local economies.
During the conference, Governor Sani was honoured as an Honorary Fellow and Grand Patron of CIoTA, while Minister Maiha received an Honorary Membership Award.
