The Federal Government and Cross River State have strengthened their collaboration on livestock sector development as the state prepares to host the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility at Mfum in Ikom Local Government Area.
The development followed a working visit by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during which the Cross River State Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda.
The Mfum facility is being developed as a flagship project under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), the Federal Government’s framework for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry into a competitive and investment-driven sector capable of improving food security, creating jobs, increasing rural incomes and expanding non-oil exports.
Representing the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, during the minister’s visit, Deputy Governor Peter Odey said the state was ready to deepen collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He stressed Cross River’s ambition to become a major gateway for livestock production, processing and export to West and Central Africa.
Odey also noted that Minister Maiha had fulfilled an earlier commitment to return to the state and inspect the Obudu Ranch, adding that discussions with potential investors on the development of the ranch were expected to continue.
According to him, the state government is seeking to reposition the facility as a world-class livestock and eco-tourism destination.
He added that infrastructure projects around Obudu were also expected to strengthen Cross River’s investment potential.
Odey disclosed that the nearby Bukalo Cargo Airport was about 85 per cent complete, with the first flight expected before the end of 2026 and commercial operations targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
He said planned air connections between Abuja, Bukalo and Lagos, alongside Cross River’s access to the Gulf of Guinea through Calabar, would enhance logistics for livestock, agricultural products and tourism.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha described the Mfum facility as a major component of Nigeria’s livestock biosecurity strategy.
He explained that it is the first of 12 livestock control posts planned for the country’s international borders.
According to him, the facilities will help ensure that only healthy and properly certified livestock enter the country, while strengthening disease surveillance, animal health certification, traceability and border control.
Maiha also highlighted Cross River’s potential to emerge as a major red-meat production and processing hub.
He said the ministry was working with partners towards the development of an integrated abattoir with a proposed capacity of about 500 cattle per day.
Such an investment, he explained, could stimulate growth across related industries, including feed production, veterinary services, leather processing, cold-chain logistics and transportation, while creating thousands of employment opportunities.
The minister further identified commercial fodder production as another major investment opportunity in Cross River, citing Napier grass, alfalfa and ryegrass as priority crops under NL-GAS.
He said the Federal Government was also pursuing integrated production centres for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as a dairy development programme involving universities and research institutions.
As part of his tour, Maiha visited the Calachicka Poultry Farm and Processing Plant, where he addressed concerns raised by poultry producers over prolonged delays in obtaining Day-Old Chicks.
Producers had reportedly faced waiting periods of up to six months, a situation the minister said the government was working to address through reforms aimed at increasing domestic hatchery capacity, simplifying licensing procedures and attracting greater private-sector investment.
Maiha said the ministry’s objective was to reduce the waiting period for Day-Old Chicks to no more than one month, describing improved access to quality poultry stock as critical to food security and the development of Nigeria’s poultry industry.
He explained that the livestock transformation programme under NL-GAS covers the entire value chain, including production, animal health, genetics, feed and fodder, processing, financing, insurance and market access.
The minister described the partnership with Cross River State as an example of the federal-state collaboration required to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The visit is expected to culminate in the formal commissioning of the Mfum Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility, marking a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen livestock biosecurity and modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector.
