The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector into a modern, sustainable and globally competitive industry capable of strengthening food and nutrition security, creating jobs and driving rural economic development.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a ministerial briefing with stakeholders in the livestock sector, including veterinary professionals, breeders, processors, livestock dealers, investors, civil society organisations and international development partners.
Maiha said the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), established in July 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is providing a strategic framework for implementing the livestock transformation agenda of the Renewed Hope Administration.
He explained that the livestock sector covers poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, camels, rabbits, grass-cutters, snails and honeybees, as well as associated value chains involving feed and fodder, water, animal health, logistics, processing and transportation.
According to him, successful transformation of the sector depends on strong collaboration among the Federal Government, State Governments and the private sector with each playing complementary roles.
The Minister noted that while the Federal Government would provide national policies, technical standards, animal health and food safety protocols, traceability systems, data management, investment facilitation and regulatory coordination, State Governments would provide suitable land, local infrastructure, community engagement, security coordination and producer mobilisation.
Maiha disclosed that since the creation of the Ministry, the number of States with dedicated livestock ministries or agencies has increased from three to 20, reflecting growing institutional commitment to livestock development across the country.
He further explained that the proposed Federal-State-Private Sector Livestock Development Centres would serve as commercially oriented platforms designed to attract investment into priority livestock value chains selected by individual States based on their agro-ecological conditions, available feed and water resources, market demand, producer capacity and investment potential.
The Minister stressed that the Centres would not be government farms or isolated construction projects but integrated platforms connecting producers and investors to commercially viable enterprises such as breeding, feed production, dairy, meat processing, abattoirs, cold-chain facilities, logistics, leather production, biogas and organic fertiliser.
He emphasised that livestock value chains would not be imposed on States, noting that Nigeria’s diverse ecological and socio-economic conditions require locally driven solutions.
Maiha said the approach aligns with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), a 10-pillar roadmap approved by the National Economic Council to address systemic challenges and attract large-scale private investment into the sector.
According to him, NL-GAS seeks to increase the livestock sector’s contribution to the national economy from about US$32 billion to at least US$74 billion by 2035, while addressing challenges relating to animal health, feed, water, finance, infrastructure, extension services, peacebuilding, women and youth participation and data management.
The Minister identified inadequate genetics, scarcity of feed and water, land administration challenges, weak veterinary and extension services, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, logistics and limited private-sector investment as some of the major challenges confronting the sector.
He stressed that these challenges cannot be effectively addressed by a single level of government, making coordinated Federal, State and private-sector action essential.
Maiha also highlighted the imbalance between livestock production in northern Nigeria and major consumer markets in the South, noting that transporting live animals over long distances increases costs and exposes the sector to security and supply risks.
He therefore advocated demand-driven State investment plans that would enable each State to develop livestock species and value chains based on its comparative advantages and local market opportunities.
The Minister further stressed the importance of women and youth participation in livestock development, saying the proposed Centres would promote enterprise ownership, value addition, skills development, access to technology and employment opportunities.
He expressed confidence that the partnership model would create a more productive, peaceful and commercially viable livestock sector while supporting rural development, wealth creation and shared prosperity.
According to Maiha, the Livestock Development Centres would serve as practical implementation platforms for NL-GAS and the Nigeria Livestock Master Plan, translating national policies into locally accountable investments and value-chain development.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to building a livestock sector that is modern, sustainable, profitable, conflict-sensitive and globally competitive.
Earlier, the Interim President of the College of Veterinary Surgeons, Professor Akinrenmade, alongside veterinary scholars and the leadership of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, commended the Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their leadership and efforts towards transforming the livestock sector.
The veterinary scholars presented awards to Minister Maiha and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, in recognition of their leadership and commitment to livestock development.
Receiving the award, Maiha thanked the veterinary professionals and other stakeholders for their support, assuring them that the Ministry would continue to work with relevant partners to change the narrative and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
