The Federal Government has designated 33,000 hectares of land under the Abuja Master Plan for the development of livestock settlements as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector and promote a more settled system of animal production.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this in Abuja at a ministerial news conference on Federal-State-Private Sector Partnerships for the transformation of the livestock sector.
Maiha said the initiative was designed to gradually phase out the movement of cattle and other livestock within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while providing designated areas where animals could be raised under improved production conditions.
He explained that the proposed livestock settlements would support the establishment of livestock development centres tailored to different animal species, with the broader objectives of improving food security, creating employment, stimulating rural economies and promoting lasting peace.
“The 33,000 hectares reserved for livestock settlement are located outside the Abuja metropolis,” the minister said.
He explained that livestock owners would be able to access the city while their animals remained in designated production areas, stressing that Abuja was not designed to accommodate the co-mingling of livestock and people.
Maiha disclosed that the Federal Government was working with the FCT Administration to rehabilitate existing livestock facilities, including the Kawu Grazing Reserve, Karshi and Paiko-Kore.
According to him, Kawu Grazing Reserve had already recorded improvements, including the provision of three boreholes and a digital weather station to support livestock production and management.
He said consultations were ongoing with the FCT Administration on the rehabilitation of additional livestock facilities and their integration into the proposed settled production system.
The minister identified improved genetics, modern livestock management practices, dedicated settlements and livestock development centres as key components of the Federal Government’s strategy to transform the sector.
He stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on effective collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, private investors and producer organisations.
Under the proposed framework, the Ministry of Livestock Development would provide policy direction, technical standards, animal health protocols, traceability systems, data management and regulatory coordination.
State governments, he said, would be responsible for providing suitable land, local infrastructure, community engagement, security support and mobilisation of producers.
Private investors and producer organisations, meanwhile, would finance and operate the commercial components of the livestock value chain.
Maiha said the livestock development centre model would help move the sector away from scattered, low-productivity operations towards commercially driven clusters capable of attracting increased private-sector investment.
He explained that states would determine the livestock value chains to prioritise based on their agro-ecological conditions, availability of feed and water, producer base, market opportunities and investment potential.
The centres could accommodate investments in livestock breeding, feed and fodder production, cattle finishing, dairy chilling, sheep and goat fattening, poultry production, pig breeding and feedlots.
They would also support modern abattoirs, meat processing, cold-chain storage, logistics, biogas production, organic fertiliser, hides and skins processing and leather production.
The minister said the centres would operate as regulated commercial clusters, with government providing the enabling environment while private operators manage revenue-generating components.
He said the initiative would help strengthen food and nutrition security, create jobs, stimulate rural economies and address conflicts and inefficiencies associated with the current livestock production system.
Maiha also emphasised that Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones—from the dry savanna and wet savanna to the rainforest and coastal regions—required different livestock production approaches.
He therefore ruled out the adoption of a single uniform production model across the country, noting that livestock development strategies should reflect the conditions and opportunities available in each region.
The minister identified significant investment opportunities across the cattle and dairy value chains, including irrigated fodder production, hay and silage, feedlots, breeding, artificial insemination, milk collection and chilling, hygienic abattoirs, meat packaging, hides and skins processing and biogas production.
He added that the poultry value chain also presented opportunities in hatcheries, breeder farms, feed mills, broiler and layer clusters, vaccination and laboratory services, egg grading and packaging, slaughtering and cold-chain facilities.
Maiha criticised the traditional extensive livestock production system, where animals trek long distances in search of pasture.
According to him, prolonged movement causes animals to expend significant energy that could otherwise contribute to meat and milk production.
He said transitioning to settled livestock production, combined with improved genetics, better access to feed and water, stronger animal health services, modern processing infrastructure and increased private investment, would help create a more productive, efficient and competitive livestock sector in Nigeria.
