The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has warned that rising imports of beef and other meat products could undermine Nigeria’s livestock industry and force local producers out of business.
MACBAN President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, raised the concern in a statement on Monday, 7th of September 2026 in Abuja, expressing worry over reports of increased meat imports into the country.
He said the association was not opposed to international trade or legitimate competition but cautioned against policies that could place Nigerian livestock producers at a disadvantage and weaken domestic production.
Othman-Ngelzarma cited the rice sector as a cautionary example, noting that despite Nigeria achieving nearly 98 per cent self-sufficiency in rice production, increased imports had continued to affect farmers and investors.
He urged the Federal Government to avoid a similar situation in the livestock sector, where producers are already grappling with rising feed and transportation costs, insecurity, shrinking grazing resources, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to affordable finance and the effects of climate change.
“Exposing local producers to direct competition from highly developed foreign livestock industries could push many Nigerian livestock producers out of business,” he said.
The MACBAN president noted that the livestock industry supports a broad network of pastoralists, farmers, feed producers, traders, transporters, butchers, processors, as well as livestock and veterinary professionals.
He therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently assess the impact of increased meat imports on domestic production, employment, investment and national food security.
“Before further liberalising the market, Nigeria should pursue strategic trade, not import dependency,” he said.
Othman-Ngelzarma said where imports were necessary to address genuine supply gaps, they should complement rather than replace domestic production.
He commended the Federal Government’s investments and ongoing reforms in the livestock sector but stressed that MACBAN was seeking a level playing field rather than a closed market.
He urged the government to prioritise the protection of domestic production while ensuring the availability and affordability of meat and other livestock products.
