Nigeria’s N33trn Livestock Sector Highly Under-Utilised – Minister

ABUJA – Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, has stated that Nigeria’s livestock sector valued at over N33trillion, is highly under-utilised.

Maiha, who stated this on Friday in Abuja at a ministerial media briefing, vowed to turn around the fortunes of the sector for socio-economic development of Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria’s livestock sector is valued at over N33trillion, making it one of the most significant, yet highly under-utilised, economic assets in the country.

He announced that the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is targeting to expand the livestock sector’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) contribution from $32billion to 74billion in the next five years(2030).

Maiha said the Ministry would position itself as a key player in both domestic and international markets for animal protein, similar to leading producers like Brazil, Argentina and the United States.

To ensure a clear roadmsp for the Ministry, he pointed out that a two-day Strategic Planning Workshop was held to develop a five year Development Plan(2025–2030).

The Minister stated that during the Strategic Workshop, that 10 Strategic Pillars were developed, designed to boost production, improve animal health, guarantee food security, promote inclusivity, and strengthen sector governance.

According to him, “The Strategic Plan, which is in its final stages, will serve as a guiding document for implementing policies, attracting investments, and ensuring efficient sectoral coordination.

“Our competitive edge will be built on quality assurance, anchored on healthy herds, improved management practices, enhanced processing and premium packaging.

“The goal is to establish a globally recognised “Bred in Nigeria” brand, ensuring that Nigerian livestock products meet international standards.”

“We have one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, a rapidly expanding market for meat and dairy products, and a strategic location for agricultural exports.

“However, poor infrastructure, inadequate investment, outdated production methods, and persistent conflicts between farmers and herders have prevented the sector from reaching its full potential.”

In view of these challenges and vast opportunities in the sector, the Minister said President Bola Tinubu, established the Ministry in July 9, 2024, “to drive a new era of transformation, innovation and sustainable growth.”

According to him, “Our mandate extends far beyond traditional livestock management.

“We are here to diversify the economy, drive industrialisation, strengthen private-sector participation and secure Nigeria’s future in the global agricultural market.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is therefore, fully committed to delivering real and measurable progress that translates into better opportunities for livestock producers, more jobs for Nigerians, greater food security and a stronger economy.”

He revealed various measures the Ministry would introduce to maintain Nigeria’s local livestock breeds, which would multiple the breeds as well as ensure that they are resistant to diseases.

“We are already talking about decisions of this country to create a Gene-bank where we can store all our local indigenous genetics.

“Because they have been producing them, they are indigenous, they are adapting, they are resistant to diseases. Therefore, we don’t want to push them away,” he said.

The harped on the need for government to integrate local breeds into modern livestock production systems.

“We are going to combine them, we are going to keep them and do cross-breeding so that those elements of indigenous genetics are also preserved for future generations and future national growth,” he said.

Other initiatives being implemented by the Ministry, according to him, include the
nationwide mapping of grazing reserves.

He said: “We have already started mapping out, in fact, we are going to take inventory of quality grazing reserves in the country, running to about 417, totaling more than five million hectares of land.

“These reserves will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure, including water resources, veterinary clinics, and schools for herders’ families.

Maiha disclosed that the Ministry would leverage technology to enhance livestock management in Nigeria, adding that cattle grazing routes have been digitised.

“We have digitised the cattle routes in this country. We have digitised also available dams.

“We have also digitised those grazing reserves. So at the click of a button, we are leveraging technology to ensure that we can see whatever is happening in all the grazing reserves nationwide,” he stated.