The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Thursday called for renewed attention to Nigeria’s vast but underutilised land resources, stating the livestock sector’s potential to drive economic growth and reduce import dependence.
In a press statement signed by the director of Information and Public Relations, Ben Goong, at the sidelines of the 66th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) in Abuja, Maiha pledged to strengthen partnerships to revitalise livestock production and cut Nigeria’s reliance on imported meat and dairy products.
“We have farmlands and we are looking at practical ideas to transform this sector. The future of this country is not in our hands but in our land.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, the livestock sector today will be the next crude oil,” he added.
Earlier in his address, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that recent corporate growth and rising investor confidence are clear signals that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms are beginning to yield results, even though citizens continue to endure short-term hardships.
Shettima said politics and economics are inseparable in determining Africa’s future and charged economists across the continent to take the lead in shaping Africa’s economic transformation.