The Federal Government has announced plans to create about 7,000 direct jobs through a new estate-based ranching programme aimed at empowering youths and women, improving livestock productivity and stimulating economic growth in rural communities.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with the management of Access Bank Plc in Abuja on Thursday. He said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a major source of employment, food security and economic prosperity.
According to the Minister, the estate-based ranching model will provide structured opportunities for young people and women to participate in modern livestock production and related agribusiness ventures.
He noted that the programme is expected to create approximately 7,000 direct jobs while driving growth across key livestock value chains, including dairy production, red meat processing and leather manufacturing.
Mukhtar explained that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to unlock the vast economic potential of the livestock industry by promoting investment in dairy development, meat processing, feed and fodder production and leather processing.
The Minister emphasized the need for innovative financing arrangements tailored to the unique nature of livestock production, particularly dairy farming, which requires longer production cycles before generating returns.
He observed that Nigeria’s dairy industry has the capacity to generate significant economic value and called for stronger partnerships among government agencies, financial institutions and private investors to expand production and modernize the sector.
As part of efforts to strengthen livestock infrastructure, Mukhtar revealed that the Ministry is pursuing the establishment of modern abattoirs in selected states and the Federal Capital Territory. The facilities each designed to process at least 1,000 cattle daily are expected to improve meat quality and safety standards, reduce wastage and enhance the efficiency of the livestock value chain.
The Minister also highlighted feed and fodder development as a critical component of livestock productivity. He said the Ministry is working to expand pasture cultivation nationwide and develop feed resources closer to livestock production centres to reduce transportation costs and improve operational efficiency.
Earlier, the Public Relations Manager of Access Bank, Jonathan Oloniyo, expressed the bank’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in advancing initiatives aimed at unlocking the enormous potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector and driving sustainable economic growth.
